As Xiao Feng watch, he suddenly heard someone shout: "Is that venerable Master Xiao?" Xiao Feng thought: "Who recognize me?" Turning his head, he saw someone rode out of the green cavalry troop, it was the captain sent by YeLu Ji to deliver the gifts a few months ago.

He rode toward Xiao Feng until he was within 10 zhang, quickly dismounted, rush forward and knelt down with his right knee and said: "My Lord is waiting for you not far away. His Lordship talked about Master Xiao frequently, he misses you terribly. What good fortune brought Master Xiao here? I invite you to meet my Lord with haste." Xiao Feng heard that YeLu Ji is near the vicinity, with great joy he said: "I was just roaming around freely, I did not know my sworn brother is near, this cannot be better. Good, please lead me to meet him."

The attendant blew a whistle, two horsemen came riding swiftly. The attendant said: "Report quickly, say Master Xiao from Changbai Mountain is coming!" The two riders received the order and sped off quickly. The rest of the troops continued to shoot the deers, the attendant led a troop of green-robed cavalry to protect Xiao Feng and AhZi and they travelled west. When YeLu Ji sent large quantity of gold, silver, cattle and sheep, Xiao Feng knew instantly that he was a Khitan noble, after seeing such a sight, he expect that his sworn brother must be some general or high ranking official.

On the grass plains, troops travelled back and forth endlessly, all of them wearing brightly colored armor. The attendant said: "Master Xiao arrived at a good time, tomorrow morning, it will be bustling with activity here.” Xiao Feng saw AhZi lit up and he ask: “What kind of activity?” The attendant replied that there will be a martial arts competition. There are 2 vacant positions for commanding officers of Yongchang and Taihe military. The Khitan soldiers will showcase their martial art skills, whoever is lucky, they will become the commanding officers.

Once Xiao Feng heard that there will be a martial arts competition, he was naturally exuberant and in high-spirits, he laughed: "This truly is a coincidence, I will finally get to see Khitan’s martial arts.” AhZi smiled and said: "Captain, just display your skills tomorrow, I will congratulate you in becoming the commanding officer.” The attendant replied: "I am a lowly person, why would I dare to try?" AhZi smiled and said: "What’s so difficult about winning the commanding officer post? As long as my brother-in-law is willing to teach you 2 or 3 moves, you will definitely win the commanding officer post.” The attendant happily said: “If Master Xiao is willing to give directions to me, it will really save my life. But as for the commanding officer position, i do not have the fate and i do not wish to hanker after it.”

They travelled around 10 li as they gossip along the way, suddenly they saw a cavalry troop gallop over. The attendant said: "It’s the flying bear squadron from the fur-skin army of the main camp.” The squadron officers wear bear skin clothes, black bear skin robe, white bear skin hat, and they look very mighty. As the squadron neared, they cried in unison, dismount at the same time, separated in two columns and said: "Respectfully welcome Master Xiao!" Xiao Feng replied: "I don’t dare! I don’t dare!” and raise his hands to salute, he move forward and the flying bear squadron followed closely behind.

After travelling for 10 li, they saw another squadron, clothed with tiger skin, the flying tiger squad came over to welcome them. Xiao Feng thought: “I don’t know what ranking official my Brother YeLu is, he can organize such grand stuff.” But the attendant refused to comment, and YeLu Ji refused to reveal the last time they met, and thus Xiao Feng did not want to probe further.

As they travelled until dusk, they reach a large tent, a troop wearing leopard skin clothes, the flying leopard squadron greeted and escorted Xiao Feng and AhZi to the center of the large tent. Xiao Feng thought that he would be able to meet YeLu Ji when he entered the tent, the rugs and items in the tent were all exquisite, the table was filled with dishes and fruits, however there was no one in the tent. The leader of the flying leopard squadron said: “His Lordship invites Master Xiao to rest here for tonight. He will meet you another day.” Xiao Feng did not inquire further, sat down, and start drinking wine. Four army sergeants refilled the wine and cut the meats, respectfully serving him.

After waking up the next morning, they travelled west for 200 li, and they rest in another large tent during night fall.

In the afternoon of the third day, the attendant said: “After crossing that mountainside, we will reach our destination.” Xiao Feng saw the atmosphere of the mountain was magnificent, the “Hua Hua” sound of flowing water as it flows swiftly from the mountainside to down south. As the group crossed the mountainside, they saw flags fluttering before their eyes, tents were packed closely and filled the entire grassland, tens of thousands of cavalry circled a vast open space in the center. The officers of the flying bear squadron, flying tiger and flying leopard took out their horns, they blew and a “Wu Wu Wu” sound reverberated.

Suddenly the drums rang out loudly, “Peng Peng Peng” cannon fire came from the mountain, officers and soldiers at the open space split into two column, a majestic yellow horse gallop towards Xiao Feng, and someone shouted: "Brother Xiao, brother misses you terribly!" Xiao Feng mounted a horse and met up with him, both dismounted at the same time, their hands grasping, their joy cannot be contained.

From all four directions, the soldiers shouted in unison: “Long live the king! Long live the king! Long live the king!”

Xiao Feng was shocked: "Why do the soldiers keep cheering long live the king!” He look around, every single soldiers were bowing, their blade leaning on the ground, YeLu Ji was holding his hand and standing in the middle, looking to the east and west, his expression pleased. Stunned, Xiao Feng said: "Brother, you ... you are ...” YeLu Ji laughed and said: "At that time, if you knew i am the current emperor of Great Liao, I'm afraid you will refuse to swear brotherhood with me. Brother Xiao, my real full name is YeLu HongJi. I survive due to your grace, I will remember it forever and never forget it."

Although Xiao Feng is open-minded and heroic, he have never seen an emperor before in his life, seeing such splendor, he cannot help but feel embarrassed and said: "Subordinate did not know your majesty, I greatly offended you, I deserve to die!" and he knelt down immediately. He is a Khitan, he should kneel down and worship when meeting Khitan’s emperor.

YeLu HongJi quickly held out his hand and propped him up, smiling he said: "You are not guilty as you do not know about it, brother, you are my sworn brother, we will only talk about our brotherhood today, it won’t be late to pay respect to the monarch tomorrow.” He waved his left hand, and the troops started drumming music to welcome the honoured guest. YeLu HongJi held onto Xiao Feng hands and both of them entered a big tent.

The tent of Liao emperor was made of several layers of leather with numerous flying gold ribbons, it was glorious and brilliant, the residence was known as the great leather tent. YeLu HongJi sat in the middle, and ordered Xiao Feng to sit at the first seat across his, after a while civil and military officials came in to pay their respect, Lord of Northern Chancellery, Chancellor of Northern Chancellery, Chancellor of Southern Chancellery, and many more, generals of the great leather tent, junior generals, cavalry commanders, infantry commanders, etc, Xiao Feng can’t possibly remember all of them at the moment.

A banquet was held in the tent that night, the Khitan people respected women, and thus AhZI was also invited to feast in the great leather tent. Wine as deep as pond, meat piled as high as mountain, AhZi was jubilant when she saw all these.

Everyone drank to their heart's content, the Khitan’s warrior entertained the emperor by duelling in front of him, their upper body naked, it was an intense fight as they wrestled fiercely. Xiao Feng saw that these Khitan warriors are skilful, had strong muscular strength, a set of martial art moves can be seen in their tossing and lifting, although the variations is not as ingenious as martial arts from Central Plains, but if employed in a real battlefield, its actually more effective than martial arts from Central Plains.

The various Liao officials all approached Xiao Feng to propose a toast. Xiao Feng could not refuse and emptied every cup of wine toasted, eventually he drank over 300 cups, his expression completely unchanged, the crowd was astonished.

YeLu HongJi was proud of his own bravery and prowess, the deed by Xiao Feng in capturing him was known throughout Liao Empire, thus he intended Xiao Feng to showcase his superhuman abilities to cover up the humiliation of being captured, he did not expect that Xiao Feng did not need to take part in tomorrow’s martial art competition to display his abilities, the current display of drinking prowess was sufficient to convince the crowd and gained everyone’s admiration. YeLu HongJi was overjoyed, he said: “Brother, you are the number one hero in my Liao Empire!”

Suddenly AhZi interrupted and said: "He is not number one!" YeLu HongJi laughed and said: "Little girl, how did he become number two? Then who is the number one hero?” AhZi said: "The number one hero is naturally your majesty. Although my brother-in-law ability is great, he have to obey you and he cannot go against you, aren’t you the number one hero? " She is XingXiu Elder favoured disciple, proficient in the art of flattery, all these words are a piece of cake for her.

YeLu HongJi laughed and said: "Well said, well said. Brother Xiao, i want to confer an extremely high-rank post for you, let me think, what should i confer you? "At this moment, his already 80 to 90% drunk, he drum his forehead with his finger. Xiao Feng quickly said: "No, no, subordinate is careless, not suitable for riches, I have always been roaming the four corners of earth, never staying for certain, I really don’t want to be an official." YeLu HongJi replied: "No problem, I’ll confer you a high-rank post that do not require any work done, you only need to drink wine ....." before he could finish speaking, the “Wu Wu Wu” sound of bugle came from afar, the sound was sharp and urgent.

The Liao people were originally sitting on the floor, drinking wine and eating meat, but upon hearing this bugle, they stood up in unison, their face frightened and devoid of color. The bugle call came quickly, the original call was 10 li away, the second call came a few li closer, the third call came even closer by a few more li. Xiao Feng pondered: "Even with the fastest horse, or the highest level of lightness martial arts, it can’t be faster than this bugle call. Yes, signal station must have been pre-arranged and used to deliver urgent military news, once the first bugle call is heard, they will relay it to the next station, so forth and so on." The bugle call was delivered quickly and it stopped abruptly when it reached the great leather tent. Hundreds of officers and men in the tents where originally cheering and partying, it was extremely noisy and chaotic, upon hearing the call they became mute.

YeLu HongJi expression was calm, he slowly lifted his golden cup, drank all the wine and said: "There a rebellion in the capital, de-camp, we will return immediately.”

The marching generals immediately went out to issue orders, once they heard the single word “De-camp”, they relay the words and it became ten, and this ten became hundred, hundred became thousand, the word became louder and louder, it was serious and orderly, and it seems there was no hint of panic. Xiao Feng pondered: "My great Liao Empire has been established for over two hundred years, our Empire shook the entire world by force, currently there is civil strife, but no one panic, it seems every generation of Liao leader is competent in commanding the army.”

The sound of horse hoof was heard, the advance party gallop off, followed by the left and right vanguard, the forward troops, left troops, right troops, troop after troop headed south back to the capital.

YeLu HongJi held Xiao Feng’s hand and said: "Let’s go take a look." He went out of the tent alone, in the middle of the night, lanterns were hung on every military banner, red, yellow, blue and white, all these coloured lanterns illuminated the area, the remaining ten thousands of troops were travelling down south, no one spoke a word and only the neighing of horses can be heard. Xiao Feng was greatly impressed and thought: "Look at the way he has control of the army, who can go against him? That day the emperor bravely went out hunting alone and he accidently got captured by me, if his army really did press on and attack, although the Jurchens are strong and valiant, they will hopelessly be outnumbered and defeated."

Once the two of them left the tent, the guards de-tent immediately and kept everything neatly, luggage and supplies all loaded onto the horse carriage. The commander-in-chief of the main army issued his orders, and the main army moved off immediately. The Lord of Northern Chancellery, chancellor, advisers and tutors all of them stayed near YeLu HongJi, their face solemn, but they all acted in unison. Although they knew about the rebellion, but they still did not know who led this rebellion and what is the exact situation of the chaos.

The huge party travelled south for 3 days, during the night after setting camp, a scout gallop back and reported to YeLu HongJi: “The Lord of Southern Chancellery staged this rebellion, he has occupied the main Palace, the empress dowager, empress, prince, princess and over one hundred officials and their family members, all have been captured."

YeLu HongJi had a huge shock, and his expression became grave.

The military affairs of Liao Empire were handled by the Northern and Southern Chancellery, the Lord of Northern Chancellery accompanied the emperor for the current hunting trip, and the Lord of Southern Chancellery stayed behind to guard the capital. The Lord of Southern Chancellery is YeLu NieLuGu, his title is Prince of Chu, it doesn’t matter if he rebelled, but his father is YeLu ZhongYuan, the uncle of the emperor and supreme commander of the army, it was no small matter.

YeLu HongJi’s grandfather YeLu LongXu, was known as the Holy Emperor in Liao’s history. The Holy Emperor eldest son was ZongZhen, the second son ZhongYuan. ZongZhen’s character was kind and generous, ZhongYuan was valiant and gifted in military strategy. When the Holy Emperor was about to pass away, he designated ZongZhen to succeed the throne, but the empress favoured her second son, and she plotted to make ZhongYuan emperor. In Liao’s tradition, the Empress Dowager is extremely powerful, thus ZongZhen could not fully consolidate his power as the emperor, and his life was also in danger, but ZongZhen informed his brother of their mother’s scheme, and her scheme was thwarted. ZongZhen was naturally grateful to his brother and bestowed the rank of royal emperor brother, making him next in line to succeed the throne.

YeLu ZongZhen was known in Liao’s history as the Prosperous Emperor, but after his death, the throne was not passed on to the royal emperor brother ZhongYuan, but passed on to his son HongJi.

After assuming the throne, YeLu HongJi felt apologetic, and he conferred ZhongYuan as the royal emperor uncle, and this again made him next in line to succeed the throne, in addition he also made ZhongYuan the supreme commander of the entire army, exempted him from kneeling during court session, bestowed him gold and scriptures, mortar board, two-colour robe, and gave him preferential treatment, he became the most powerful figure in Liao Empire; YeLu HongJi also conferred ZhongYuan’s son the title of Prince of Chu, giving him full control of military affairs in Southern Chancellery, and hence he was known as Lord of Southern Chancellery.

When the Holy Emperor died YeLu ZhongYuan could assume the throne with the help of the Dowager, but he gave it up and supported his brother, and this showed that he valued loyalty, and he also kept quiet about the entire incident. When YeLu HongJi left to go hunting, he did not have the slightest suspicion and let his uncle handled all the military affairs. When the bugle call came, and the rebellion was actually led by the Lord of Southern Chancellery YeLu NieLuGu, Ye Hongji was naturally shocked and worried, rumour goes that NieLuGu disposition is vicious and ruthless, since he plotted the rebellion, there’s no reason his father will do nothing about it.

The Lord of Northern Chancellery said: "Your Majesty need not be overly worried, your uncle is an understanding person, he will not allow his unfilial son to rebel, it’s possible that he had already deployed the army and quelled the rebellion." YeLu HongJi replied: "I really hope so."

After they finished their dinner, the second scout rush in and reported: "The Lord of Southern Chancellery made his father the emperor, the imperial decree announced it to the rest of the world.” He did not dare continue his words, and presented the new emperor's edict with both hands. HongJi peruse the edict, the edict said that YeLu HongJi was a fake emperor who tried to usurp the throne, the royal emperor brother is the legitimate emperor, and hence the army was mobilize to resolve this issue. YeLu HongJi was so furious that he threw the edict into the fire and burnt it to ashes, but his heart was worried and he pondered: "This fake emperor affair sounds convincing, once the Liao army and citizen sees the edict, their loyalty will waver. My uncle is the supreme commander of the entire army, he have the authority to mobilize 800 thousand troops with just a wave of his hand, not to mention the troops under the jurisdiction of his son the Lord of Southern Chancellery. I only have around 100 thousand troops following me, i am heavily outnumbered, what should I do?” he toss and turn throughout the night, unable to sleep.

When Xiao Feng heard the emperor wanting to confer an official post, he wanted to bring AhZi and leave during the night without saying goodbye, but seeing the crisis faced by his sworn brother, its inconvenient to simply walk away, he wanted to do something for him on account of their brotherhood. That night as he was strolling outside the camp, he heard secret discussions among the troops, the emperor’s parents and wife all lived in the capital, since they are held hostage by the royal emperor uncle, they would most probably not survive. Some of the troops were worried about their own family members and they suddenly cried. The cry was infectious, the rest of the officers and soldiers could relate to their situation, and one by one they begin to cry. The commanders and generals tried to persuade them to stop, they targeted those that cried especially loud, but they could not stop them from crying.

The cries were earth-shattering, YeLu HongJi knew the troop’s spirit was broken and he became even more troubled.

Early next morning, the scout came to report, the royal emperor uncle and his son are leading 500 thousand troops, they are heading north to intercept them. YeLu HongJi pondered: “In such a situation, we cannot retreat, even if we are utterly defeat, we can only fight till death." immediately he summoned his officers and began discussing. The ministers and officials are all extremely loyal to YeLu HongJi and they are willing to fight to the death, but they are worried about the army’s morale.

HongJi pass down his orders: “All officers and soldiers, after we resolve this situation, you will be promoted and also receive heavy rewards." He dons his golden armour and helmet, personally led 3 troops, and gallops off to meet the troops of his uncle. All officers and men saw the emperor personally leading the troops to meet the enemy, at once their courage received a large boost, they gave three cheer and pledged loyalty till death. The 100 thousand troops divided into four sections, the advance troop, left troop, right troop and main troop, their armour clanking, the march southward, in addition a small squad scattered and roam both flanks.

Xiao Feng took up a bow and spear and followed beside HongJi, becoming his personal bodyguard. The flying bear troops protected AhZi and they positioned at the rear of the army. Xiao Feng saw YeLu HongJi frowning, and knew he did not have confidence in winning this battle.

As they travelled till noon, they heard the bugle call out again in front. The main army general commanded: "Dismount!" all the troops dismounted and pulled their horse bridle, only YeLu HongJi and his ministers are still on horseback.

Xiao Feng did not understand why the troops dismounted, he was puzzled. YeLu HongJi smiled and said: "Brother, you stayed in the Central Plains for such long time, you don’t know about how we Khitan fight wars, correct?" Xiao Feng said: "I was about to invite your majesty to enlighten me." HongJi smiled and said: "Haha, this emperor position, I don’t know if i can hang onto it until sun down. We should address each other as brothers, why do you have to address me as your majesty? " Xiao Feng heard bitterness in his laughter and said:" The two armies have yet to cross swords, you majesty, please do not worry." HongJi said: "When clashing on flat terrain, the horse strength is of upmost importance, we can charge into enemy lines and press forward relentlessly. We Khitans attacked the east and west and secured victory in every battle, this is the secret to our success."

As he finish speaking, dust cloud began gathering in the distant and tower over 10 zhang high, it was as if yellow cloud was gushing over the ground. HongJi pointed with his whip said: "My uncle and his son are war veteran, they are valiant generals of Liao Empire, but now why do they gallop over anxiously and not conserve their horse strength? Hmmm, it seems they are over-confident and thinks they will win for certain.” As he finish speaking, the bugle call was heard simultaneously from the left and right troops. Xiao Feng look to the distant, the enemy have two cavalry troops to the east, another two cavalry troops to the west, they are outnumbered five to one.

YeLu HongJi turn pale, he said to the main army general: “Get into formation and set up stockade!” The general replied: "Yes!" he rode off and pass down the orders, immediately the advance troops, left troops and right troops all turned back, the sergeants nailed the pillars of the great leather tent with a large hammer into the ground, spread out the tent cover, set up abatis on all four sides, and built a large wooden stockade on the grassland, the troops defended all four side during construction, around 10 thousand archers took up position in the wooden stockade, their bows drawn and waiting for the order to shoot.

Xiao Feng furrowed his brow and thought: "Once they start fighting, regardless of the outcome, countless dead bodies of my Khitan tribe will be strewn all over the place, it best if we win, but if we lose, I can only escort AhZi and my sworn brother to a safe place. It doesn’t matter if he can’t be the emperor anymore."

Not long after building the stockade, the enemy troops arrived but they did not engage immediately, they stood at a distant spot, beyond the range of the archers. The drum beat endlessly, troops after troops of rebels came from all four directions, form their battle formations and surrounded them. Xiao Feng gaze across the battlefield, the enemies are everywhere and he can’t even see the end, he pondered: "My sworn brother’s army is too heavily outnumbered, I'm afraid we will lose for certain. It’s not convenient to escape during the day, we can try to hold on until nightfall and then I will think of something to save them." seeing the huge stockade cast a small shadow on the ground, it is currently noon.

There was numerous “Ya Ya Ya” sound, a flock of geese flew by in the sky. YeLu HongJi raised his head and gaze for a long time, he said bitterly: "Unless we can transform ourselves into geese and fly away, we will never be able to escape.” The expression of the Lord of Northern Chancellery and generals changed, they knew the emperor became fearful after seeing the rebel army.

The drums thundered within enemy ranks, over 100 skin-drums vibrated with “Peng Peng” sound. The general of the main army shouted: “Beat the drums!” hundreds of skin-drums in the stockade also vibrated with “Peng Peng” sound. The drums echoed in unison with enemy’s drum, over tens of thousands of cavalry cried out and shook the field, they stuck out their spears and charged forward.

Seeing the enemy rush towards their front troops, the main army general waved his command-flag, the drums stopped drumming, and tens of thousands of arrows shot out simultaneously, the enemy’s front troops all fell onto the ground. But the next wave followed closely behind, and charges forward bravely, horses that fell down in front became the meat-shield for those behind. The enemy infantry archers were armed with shields, they rush forward and shot their arrows towards the stockade.

YeLu HongJi was only shock in the beginning, as the fight broke out, immediately his courage multiplied, standing at high ground, holding onto his blade, he gave orders and commanded, the soldiers in the stockade saw the emperor personally supervising the front line, and they shouted loudly: "Long live the king! Long live the king! Long live the king!" hearing "Long live the king" the enemy troops look up and saw YeLu HongJi in his golden armor, standing on the high platform in the stockade, under his impressive display of power, they could not help but leap back and stop pushing forward. HongJi saw this golden opportunity and shouted: "Left cavalry out flank, charge!"

The left troop was led by Northern Chancellery Chancellor, once they hear the emperor orders, 30 thousand cavalry immediately move to out flank the enemy. A moment of hesitation in the rebel army, and cavalry from the stockade had arrived. The rebels were thrown into confusion and quickly move back. The drums in the stockade thundered, after a short engagement, the rebels were quickly force to retreat. The cavalries from the stockade pursued and killed them, their manner sharp and imposing.

Awesome translation! This is my favorite part of the novel. I love learning about Khitan history, and you can obviously translate titles to whatever you want, but generally Liao is referred to as an empire (rather than a kingdom), and 北院/南院 is usually Northern/Southern Chancellery, as the empire is divided into these regions rather than just palaces. But I have never been able to come up with proper translations for 枢密使 and 于越, so I'm sure your judgment on those terms are better than mine.

I think I should just post once when I have all of Chapter 25 done, so probably in early May.

Awesome translation! This is my favorite part of the novel. I love learning about Khitan history, and you can obviously translate titles to whatever you want, but generally Liao is referred to as an empire (rather than a kingdom), and 北院/南院 is usually Northern/Southern Chancellery, as the empire is divided into these regions rather than just palaces. But I have never been able to come up with proper translations for 枢密使 and 于越, so I'm sure your judgment on those terms are better than mine.

I think I should just post once when I have all of Chapter 25 done, so probably in early May.

Thx for the tip, i will edit the texts and replace them! You pointed out the exact problems i faced , i kept thinking about how to translate 北院/南院....initially i came up with North/South courtyard, but it doesn't sound grand enough, so i just ended with with Palace haha. Its the same with 枢密使, i thought of envoy, emissary but it doesn't seem right and i am thinking of changing it to chancellor to fit with the Northern/Southern Chancellery you proposed!

Its the same with 枢密使, i thought of envoy, emissary but it doesn't seem right and i am thinking of changing it to chancellor to fit with the Northern/Southern Chancellery you proposed!

I just remembered, you're absolutely right! It really is chancellor, according to an article I read before about public office in the Liao Dynasty. Another source translates it to military commissioner, but whatever. Can I say I'm a fan of yours too?

Xiao Feng was overjoyed and cried out: "Brother, we scored a huge victory for this round!" YeLu HongJi got down from the platform and mounted his battle horse, leading more troops to support. Suddenly, the bugle sounded, rebel main forces drive forward, the rebel’s front troop turn around and fought back, in a split second, arrows and spears flew back and forth across the battlefield, screams shook the sky, blood and flesh flew in every direction. Xiao Feng was secretly shock: "I have never seen such ferocious fighting in my life. Even if your martial art is peerless, it’s completely useless in the mist of millions of cavalries, at most you can use it to protect yourself. Such large armies engaging in war, it cannot be mention in the same breath as those group fights or duels in the martial arts world."

Sudden the gongs rang out behind the rebel’s army, it was the gong to call off the battle. The rebel’s cavalry retreated, arrows rained to provide cover for their retreat. The main army general and the Chancellor of Northern Chancellery led the troops to charge three times, they broke through every time and caused confusion in the enemy formation, but thousands of them were also shot dead. YeLu HongJi said: "Our soldiers suffered too many losses, let’s withdraw for the time being." and they beat the gongs and withdraw the troops.

The rebels also sent out 2 troops of cavalry to pursue, but the central army was prepared, they pretended to retreat but encircled them from both wings, three thousand rebels were surrounded and annihilated, the remaining few hundred dismounted and surrendered. HongJi wave his left hand, soldiers came out of the stockade armed with spears and pierce the hundred rebels to death. This ferocious battle lasted no more than an hour, but the killings were unusually tragic and cruel.

The main forces of both sides retreated 10 zhang from each other, the middle zone between them was filled with corpses, the wounded were moaning and wailing, it was unbearably tragic. Both sides sent out a troop of 300 black robed soldiers, the people from the stockade wore yellow hat, the enemy wore white hats, they move forward to the middle zone to examine the wounded. Xiao Feng thought these black robed soldiers would carry the injured back for medical treatment, but instead they took out their blades and killed the wounded soldiers. After all the injured soldiers were hacked to death, the 600 black robed soldiers shouted in unison and began to fight each other.

The martial arts of the 600 black robed soldiers were not weak, their blades flashed and they fought bravely, after a while, over 200 people were cut down. The black robed soldiers from the stockade had better martial arts, they only lost around 10 men, and the situation immediately became two versus one, thus the victor became obvious. After a while, it became three versus one. Officers from both sides only cheered their men, the rebel army stood by and watch, they did not dispatch any soldier to provide assistance. Eventually the 300 black robed soldiers from the rebel army were eliminated, the remaining 200 black robed soldiers from the stockade return back into formation. Xiao Feng pondered about the customs of Khitan: "The way they clean up the battlefield, although it is not a large scale, it is exceedingly horrifying.”

HongJi raised his sabre and shouted loudly: "Although there are many rebels, they have no fighting spirit. Once we fight another round, they will definitely rout!"

The officers and men in the stockade chanted: "Long live the king, long live the king, long live the king!"

Suddenly a bugle call was heard within rebel ranks, five men slowly rode out to the middle, one of them was holding onto a sheet of sheepskin, and he recited loudly from it, he is reciting the imperial edict from the royal emperor uncle: "YeLu HongJi usurp the throne, his a fake king, now that the royal emperor uncle has assume the throne, he urge the soldiers and officials of Liao Empire to return to the capital and pledge loyalty to him, all of you will be promoted 3 grade.” a dozen archer fire their arrows from the stockade, whizzing sound rang out as it shot towards the announcer . The 4 men by his side raise their shields and protected each other, the man continued to recite aloud, their five horses were shot down but they are still hiding safely behind their shield, finally he finish reciting the edict and they turn around and left.

The Lord of Northern Chancellery saw his officials wavered after they heard the edict, he shouted: "Go out and curse them!" 10 “professional-curser” went out, they had loud voices and thick throat, good enunciation, the first curser started insulting. Words such as treacherous traitors, being buried right here, etc, the second curser took over and carried on insulting, all sorts of vulgarities came spewing. Xiao Feng did not understand most of the curse words as he had limited knowledge on Khitan language, but he saw YeLu HongJi nod his head repeatedly, his expression approving, it seems these “professional cursers” really put up an exciting show.

Xiao Feng looks over at the enemy formation, at a far distance, under the reflection of their yellow hat, he saw two men each riding a fine horse, they were holding horsewhip and directing around. One was clothed in yellow robe and wearing a crown, he had a long gray beard, the other person was wearing gold armour, his face gaunt, but his expression fierce and brave. Xiao Feng thought to himself: "Look at their appearance, this must be the royal emperor uncle and his son."

Suddenly, the 10 “professional-curser” discuss among themselves for a while, they shouted in unison and revealed the shameful secrets of the royal emperor uncle and his son. It seems the royal emperor uncle is upright and had proper conduct, there isn’t any scandal from him, the 10 men mostly targeted his son the Prince of Chu, they said he raped his father's concubine and use his father’s power to commit all kinds of evil. These words are obviously meant to sow discord between father and son, the 10 cursers shouted in unison, they cursed the exact same words, the words resonated over a few li and over hundred thousand men all heard it clearly.

The Prince of Chu waved his whip, the rebels howl in unison, they made “Ah Ah” sound and shouted randomly, the noise drowns out the words of the 10 cursers.

The enemy suddenly separated and they push 10 carts towards the stockade, the sergeant drag out over 10 females from the carts, some of them were white-hair grannies, some were youths, their clothes all grand and exquisite. Once these women were brought out, both sides stopped cursing immediately.

YeLu HongJi shouted: "Mother, mother! Son will catch these traitors and dismember them to help you vent your anger!"

That white-hair granny is the current empress dowager, she is YeLu HongJi’s mother Empress Dowager Xiao, the rest are Empress Xiao, concubines and princess. When HongJi went hunting, the royal emperor uncle and his son surrounded the Forbidden Palace and captured the empress dowager and the rest of the royals.

The Empress Dowager said: "You majesty need not be concern about this old lady or your wife and children, do you best and kill these thieves!" a dozen officers draw their sabres and place it against the neck of the females, the young concubines immediately cry out in fear.

YeLu HongJi was furious and shouted: "Shoot down those crying females!" there was whizzing sounds and over ten arrows flew out, the concubines who are crying were all shot dead.

The Empress said: "Your majesty that was well shot! Well shot! The foundation of our forefathers cannot be destroyed by the hands of these traitors."

The Prince of Chu saw the empress dowager and empress were stubborn, not only would he be unable to coerce HongJi, but it might also shake the morale of his own troops, and he issued the order: "Detain these women on the carts and withdraw." The soldiers detain the empress dowager and empress in the cart and push it to the rear of the army. The Prince of Chu ordered: "Bring forward the family members of enemy troops!"

The whirring call of bamboo whistles were heard, the sound was bleak, the army split apart, there was endlessly clanking of iron shackles, rows after rows of male, female, old and young were all pulled to the front. In an instant their cries shook the heavens. The soldiers from the stockade are personal soldiers of the Liao emperor, YeLu HongJi treated them extremely well and even permit their families to live in the capital, firstly this will make the troops appreciative and they would be willing to fight till death in times of trouble, secondly it also serve to keep tabs on them, they will not dare to revolt during an expedition. He did not expect this arrangement would backfire against him when he went out on the hunting trip. The family members of the soldiers numbered over 200 thousand people, but only 30 thousand people were brought forward, a lot of these people were wrongly arrested but it’s impossible to differentiate them at this moment, some of them were dragging their children and the situation was extremely messy and chaotic.

A general under the command of the Prince of Chu rode out and shouted loudly: "All soldiers in the stockade please listen, all your family members have been arrested, those who surrender will get to reunite with them, you will also be promoted 3 grades, and also receive extra rewards. If you do not surrender, the new emperor has issued a decree, all the people you see here will be killed.” Khitan people have always been cruel and sadistic, if they say "all will be killed", it’s definitely not empty threat and all these people will really be killed. Some of the soldiers in the stockade recognize their loved ones, "Dad, mom, child, husband, wife!" both sides keep calling out to each other.

Drums roll in the rebel army, 2000 executioners step out, their sabres sparkling. The drums stopped, 2000 sabres were raised, targeting the neck of family members. The general said: "Surrender now to the new emperor, you will be heavily rewarded, else all you family members will die together!" he wave his left hand and the drums roll again.

The soldiers in the stockade knew that if he wave his left hand again, the drums will stop, and the 2000 sabres will chop down immediately. These soldiers have always been loyal to YeLu HongJi, they are not enticed by the promise of riches or promotion, but seeing their family members waiting to be butchered, how can they not panic?

The drums rumble without stopping, the hearts of the soldiers are beating anxiously. Suddenly, someone shouted within the stockade: "Mom, mom, you cannot kill my mom!" abandoning his spear, he ran towards an old lady.

An arrow flew out from the stockade and pierces the back of this solder. The soldier did not die immediately, and he carried on crawling towards his mother. There was endless call of "Father, mother, child", and hundreds of soldiers ran out from the stockade. The trusted generals of YeLu HongJi took out their swords and chop randomly, but how can they stop the soldiers from running? After these hundred soldiers ran out, they were followed by another thousand. After these thousands, chaos broke out, out of his original 150 thousand troops, around 60 to 70 thousand ran over.

YeLu HongJi gave a long sigh, he knew the situation could not be salvage, taking the opportunity as the soldiers hug and reunite with their families, there was massive chaos as the rebel army separated to make space for the family members, he quickly ordered: “Retreat towards the vast mountains in the north-west.” The main army general secretly pass down the order, with the remaining 80 thousand men, the rear troops became the front troops, they gallop quickly to the north-west.

The Prince of Chu tried to order his cavalries to pursue but they were hindered by the civilians flooding the entire battlefield, the horses cannot gallop past them quickly, by the time they push away the crowd, YeLu HongJi had already led his men and escape far away. The 80,000 troops arrived at the foot of the vast mountain, it is dusk, and the soldiers were hungry and tired, they built a stockade on the top of the slope, occupying the high ground so as to better guard against attacks. Once the stockade is secured, the rice was not yet cook and the Prince of Chu had arrived with his troops and they immediately charge up the slope. Soldiers in the stockade rained arrows and manage to repel the rebel forces. The Prince of Chu saw the situation was unfavourable and he withdraw the troops immediately and set up camp at the foot of the mountain.

During evening, YeLu HongJi stood at the side of the cliff, gazing towards south, he saw the campfire in rebel camp was akin to sparkling stars, in the distant there were 3 fire dragons arriving, but it was actually the rear forces of the rebel army that came to join up with the main army. HongJi was dejected as he was about to enter his tent, the Chancellor of Northern Chancellery came to report: “15 thousand troops under subordinate command rush down the mountain and surrendered to the rebel. Subordinate did not manage his troops well, I deserve to die!" YeLu HongJi wave his hand, shook his head and said: "You cannot be blamed, go back and rest!”

He turned around and saw Xiao Feng preoccupied with a distant place, he said: "Tomorrow morning, the rebels will be victorious, I will definitely become their prisoner. I am the emperor, I cannot be humiliated by these rebels, I will commit suicide to repay my country. Brother, you should take advantage of the darkness and escape. You have strong martial arts, the rebels will not be able to stop you." As he said this, his expression became sorrowful, he continued: "I intended to make you rich and influential, but as it turns out I can’t even save myself and I even drag you into this mess."

Xiao Feng said: "Brother, a real man should be adaptable to circumstances, today this battle is unfavourable, I can guarantee your escape, you should go back reassemble you army and fight again.”

HongJi shook his head and said: "I can’t even save my mother and wife, how can I be considered a real man? In the eyes of the Khitan, the victor is the hero, the loser is the rebel. I suffered a crushing defeat, how can I fight again? Forget me, escape by yourself!"

Xiao Feng knew he spoke the truth and sighed: "That being the case, I will accompany brother and fight the rebels till death. We are sworn brothers, you maybe the emperor, or even a lowly commoner, but Xiao Feng only treat you as my brother. When elder brother is in trouble, I should face it with you and we live or die together, where is the logic in running away by myself?”

YeLu HongJi was teeming with tears, he held both his hands and said: "Good brother, I thank you."

Xiao Feng went back to his tent, he saw AhZi lying curled in the corner of the tent, her big pair of eyes was open, she did not sleep. AhZi said: "Brother-in-law, do you blame me?" Xiao Feng was puzzled: "Blame you for what?" AhZi replied: "It’s all my fault, if I did not insist on coming to this grass plain, you will not get trap in this situation. Brother-in-law, we will really die here correct? "

The torch’s light outside the tent reflected off her face, a shade of red floated up her pale complexion, she look even more petite and delicate. Xiao Feng felt his pity rising and he said softly: "Why would I blame you? If I did not injure you, we would never have come to this place." AhZi smiled and said: "If I did not attack you with the poison needle, you will not have injured me."

Xiao Feng extended his hands and stroke her hair. After being injured for such a long time, AhZi lost more than half of her hair, her hair was sparse and yellowing. Xiao Feng gave a sigh: "You are so young, yet you have to suffer along with me." AhZi said: "Brother-in-law, originally I did not understand why my sister loves you so much, but now I know."

Xiao Feng thought: "Your sister treated me with boundless devotion, what would a little girl like you understand. In fact, I don’t even know why AhZhu feel in love with the crude me, how do you even know?" as he thought of this matter, he shake his head in sorrow.

AhZi turn her head to the side and said: "Brother-in-law, have you guessed it, why did I attack you with the poison needle that day? I did not want to kill you, I only wanted to immobilize you so that I can take care of you." Xiao Feng was curious: "What is so good about that?” AhZi smiled and said: "If you are immobilized then you cannot leave me. Otherwise, since you despise me, you might abandon me anytime and not pay any attention to me anymore."

Although her words can be considered to be childish, but it also not casual nonsense, he cannot help but be secretly scared, wondering: "Since we are all going to die tomorrow, might as well say a few words to comfort her." He said: “You are really childish, if you really want to follow me, just tell me, I will not refuse."

AhZi eyes brightened, she said happily: "Brother-in-law, once I recovered, I still want to follow you, I will never return to my master’s XingXiu Sea again. Don’t you dare abandon me."

Xiao Feng knew the trouble she stirred up in XingXiu Sect is no small matter, naturally she wouldn’t dare to go back, he smiled and said: "You are the great senior martial sister of XingXiu Sect, if you don’t go back they will be like a group without a leader, then what will they do?" AhZi giggled: "Just let them be confuse. I don’t care."

Xiao Feng pull a felt blanket and covered her till below the neck, after he tuck her in, he spread another felt and slept at a separate corner of the tent. The flame outside the tent was flickering, he heard faint crying and knew it came from soldiers who miss their family, everyone knew they would not survive tomorrows encounter, but they are loyal to the emperor and refuse to betray him.

Xiao Feng woke up early in the morning, he ask the room attendant to prepare the horses and to take care of AhZi, knowing his end is near, he ate one pound of mutton and drank three pound of wine, he walk to the hillside. It was still dark at this time, not long after, the sun rises from the east, the bungle call from from within the stockade, clanking sound was heard as the men don their armour and took up their weapons. Troops set off from the stockade and guarded the various strategic points. Xiao Feng look into the distance from his high ground, east, south, south-east, the rebel troops came gushing from all three sides. White mist blanket the distant, he can’t even see the end of the rebel’s troop formation.

Suddenly the sun ray emerged from the horizon, ten thousand golden ray penetrated the white fog, the mist slowly disperse, revealing the troops hidden by the mist, suddenly the drums roll and two yellow flag troops came galloping out, followed closely by the royal emperor uncle and the Prince of Chu, they pointed at the mountain with their horsewhip and started discussing their strategy.

YeLu HongJi led his guards and stood by the hillside, seeing such scenario, he was furious, he took a bow and arrow from one of his guard, draw the bow, and shot towards the Prince of Chu. Watching from the mountain top, it may seem they are not separated far apart, but in fact the distance is several times the range of the arrow, the arrow did not even reach halfway before running out of power and dropped down.

The Prince of Chu laughed and shouted: "HongJi, you usurp my father’s throne and spent a lot of time as the fake emperor, it’s time to abdicate the throne. Surrender quickly, my father will spare your life, and he will also be pretend to be benevolent and confer you as the royal emperor nephew, how does that sound? Ha ha ha!" these few words were obviously meant to insult HongJi for pretending to be benevolent by making YeLu ZhongYuan the royal emperor uncle.

HongJi was furious: "Shameless traitor, still flaunting and trying to win dispute."

The Chancellor of Northern Chancellery shouted: "Subordinate is willing to die for your disgrace! Your majesty has always shown great kindness to me, and today is the day I repay you. I will lead three thousand troops, we will shout in unison and rush down from the hill.” The three thousand troops are all warriors from the Khitan capital, they are ready to fight to the death, one of them is equivalent to ten men, they shouted and rush ahead, immediately the enemy is forced to retreat a few li. The Prince of Chu wave his command flag, tens of thousands of cavalry surrounded the troops, their spear and sabre ready, their war cry shook the heaven and earth, flesh and blood flew in all direction. The three thousand troops were gradually killed off, eventually, all of them were killed. The Chancellor of Northern Chancellery killed several more people before committing suicide. HongJi, generals, ministers and Xiao Feng could see all the action from the mountain top, but they were powerless to save him, all of them shed long tears for the display of loyalty by the Chancellor of Northern Chancellery.

The Prince of Chu rode near the hillside and laughed: "HongJi, are you going to surrender or not? What can you do with that little amount of troops you have? Your troops are all brave warriors of the Liao Empire, why do you want them to accompany you till death? Be a real man, be decisive, surrender or fight, if you know your days is numbered, just commit suicide to thank the heavens, don’t sacrifice your soldiers for nothing."

YeLu HongJi gave a long sigh and kept his tears, he said: "This beautiful Empire, I will give it to your father. You are right, we are first cousin, linked by flesh and blood, why should not sacrifice the lives of our Khitan warriors." As he said this, he raised his sabre and directed it towards his neck.

Xiao Feng stretch his arm and seize the sabre, he said: "Brother, if you are an honorable hero, you should die fighting in the battlefield, how can you die by committing suicide?"

HongJi sighed: "Brothers, these soldiers followed me for such a long time, I will die for sure, but I cannot bear to see them lose their life for me."

The Prince of Chu shouted: "HongJi, you still delay in committing suicide?" he pointed his horsewhip directly at HongJi’s face, his expression arrogant to the extreme.

As Xiao Feng saw him move closer and closer, he had an idea, he whispered: "Brother, distract him and entertain him with words, I will quietly move closer and shoot him with an arrow."

Knowing his amazing skills, HongJi was overjoyed: "This is extremely good, if you can kill him with an arrow, I will die contented." Immediately he raised his voice and shouted: "Prince of Chu, I did not mistreat you and your father, your father wants to be the emperor, but he should not kill and injure so many officers and innocent citizens and weaken the Liao Empire."

Xiao Feng took a hard bow, a few jagged tooth arrows, pulled a horse and slowly guided it to the hill side, he bent down and hide under the horse’s belly, his feet hooked onto the horseback, giving a kick with his toes, the horse rush off. The rebel army saw a rider-less horse, they knew this horse broke from its reins and escape, such matter is very common and no one paid extra attention to it. But after a while the rebel army noticed someone hiding under the belly of the horse and they immediately shouted out.

Xiao Feng use his toes to kick the horse, and it gallop straight towards the Prince of Chu, seeing that he was around two hundred footsteps away from him, he draw his bow from under the horse’s belly and shot an arrow towards him. The personal guard of the Prince of Chu raised his shield and warded off the arrow. Xiao Feng mounted the horse and gallop quickly, he fired arrows in rapid succession, the first arrow toppled the guard and the second arrow went straight towards the Prince of Chu’s chest.

The Prince of Chu deftly waved his whip and strikes the arrow. This art of using the whip to strike an arrow was the Prince’s most proficient skill, but the person who shot this arrow had extremely strong muscular strength, in addition the arrow was infused with internal energy, although the whip hit the arrow’s shaft, it only diverted the arrow slightly, with a “Bu” sound, the arrow plunged into his left shoulder. The Prince of Chu gave an "Ah Yo!" call and he lean on the saddle in pain.

Xiao Feng’s arrow arrived again, this time the distance was even closer, the arrow entered his left side and penetrated out from his chest. The Prince of Chu immediately fell off the horseback.

Xiao Feng achieved success with one attempt, and he thought: "Why don’t I take this opportunity and shoot that royal emperor uncle dead!

When the Prince of Chu was shot and fell off his horse, the rebel army shouted out loudly, a few hundred arrows was shot towards Xiao Feng’s horse, in an instant the horse was hit by two hundred arrow, it became a porcupine horse.

Xiao Feng roll on the ground and slide below a horse ridden by an officer, he executed his cotton softness skill, immediately, from under the horse’s belly he slide to the underside of another horse, he roll on the ground and slide to the underside of yet another horse. The rebel troop was unable to fire their arrows, and they tried to pierce him using spears. But Xiao Feng slide to the east and roll west on the ground, he displayed his skills from the underside of horses. The troops were thrown into confusion, thousand of horses push and trample each other, how can they even pierce him with spears?

The cotton softness skill displayed by Xiao Feng is a common ground fighting skill in the Central Plain. Be it ground-fighting fist, ground-fighting knife, or ground-fighting sword, all these skills require rolling and tumbling maneuvers on the ground, waiting for the perfect opportunity to attack an opponent’s underside. Currently his using it on the battlefield, he moved deftly and avoided the trampling of over thousand horse’s hoof. He took this time to determine the location of the royal emperor uncle, he rolled straight at him and sent three arrows whizzing towards him.
TBC....

The bodyguards of the royal emperor uncle had previously seen the Prince of Chu being shot by the arrow and they made preparations against it, three dozen men raised their shield, packed densely layer upon layer they block in front of the royal emperor uncle, three clanking sound was heard and the arrows were knocked down by the shield, Xiao Feng carried ten arrows with him and he had already fired seven of them, he was left with three, seeing the three dozen shield mutually covering each other, it’s extremely difficult to shoot the down the guards with just three arrows, and there no need to even mention shooting the royal emperor uncle. Currently he had penetrated deep within enemy’s rank, behind him thousands of soldiers pursued with their spears, in front of him is thousands upon thousands of soldiers and horses, he had already fallen into a hopeless situation. Last time when he fought the martial artists of Central Plain alone, the opposing side only had around a hundred martial artists and it was already perilous to the extreme, luckily someone saved him and he was able to escape, but currently his trapped and surrounded by over 10 thousand men, how can he escape?

The situation was desperate and he can only risk his life and go all out, he gave an earth rumbling howl and leaps into the air, with a “Hu” sound, he leap over the three dozen shields, and landed in front of the royal emperor uncle’s horse. The royal emperor uncle got a huge shock, he raised his whip and strikes it towards Xiao Feng’s face. Xiao Feng slanted his body and leap again, he landed on the royal emperor uncle’s horse saddle, his left hand seized the back of the royal emperor uncle and lifted him high up in the air, he shouted: "You want to live or die? Ask everyone to put down their weaponry!" the royal emperor uncle was scared stiff, the words did not register in him.

The hustle and bustle among rebel troops was deafening, thousands of soldier draw and raised their bow, pointing it at Xiao Feng, but with the royal emperor uncle in his hand, nobody dare to act rashly.

Xiao Feng gathered energy into his dantian and shouted: "The royal emperor’s orders, all soldiers lay down your weapon and listen to his edict. The emperor is gracious, he will pardon all soldiers, no one will be held accountable." His few words overshadowed the disturbance made by over 10 thousand troops, more than half of the 10 thousand soldiers in front and behind the mountain heard him clearly.

Xiao Feng have experience in such matters as he was betrayed by members of the Beggar Clan, he understood the thoughts of rebels, once adversity is over, the most important thing is to exempt all crimes, he only need to guarantee that he will forget past grievances and not pursue the matter, the rebel’s will to fight back will then disappear. At this moment the rebel army had overwhelming numbers, YeLu HongJi only had around seventy to eighty thousand troops, it’s a miserable minority against an overwhelming majority, definitely not a match against the rebel army, the situation was critical and he did not have time to consult HongJi, and thus he said those few words to make the rebels stop worrying.

Once the words transmitted across the battlefield, the clamour of the rebels quieten down immediately, they looked at each other, everyone was apprehensive and undecided.

Xiao Feng knew the situation was dangerous, if one person from the rebel army voice out his refusal, countless men would blindly follow and the situation would change radically, the situation really does not allow for a moment of delay, he quickly shouted: "The Emperor’s decree: Regardless of your rank in the rebel army, all of you are innocent, the emperor is merciful, he will not pursue this matter. All soldiers will be restored to your former post, quickly put down your weapons now!”

Silence ensues, suddenly there was a few “Clank” “Clank” sound, and several men threw down their spears. This sound was infectious, immediately, the “Clank” “Clank” sound grew louder as over half of soldiers threw down their weapons, the remaining soldiers that held onto their weapons were still hesitating.

Xiao Feng lifted the royal emperor uncle high up in the air with his left arm and his horse move slowly up the mountain, none of the rebels dared to block him, wherever his horse went, the crowd will part and allow a path through.

Xiao Feng rode his horse and arrived halfway up the hill, two troops from the stockade came to greet him, drum beat and music can be heard from the mountain peak.

Xiao Feng said: "Royal emperor uncle, order your subordinate to surrender and throw down their weapons, we will then spare your life."

The royal emperor uncle quivered: "You will really spare my life?"

Xiao Feng looked down the hill, he saw countless rebels still holding onto their bows and spears, the troop’s morale was uncertain, the danger had not yet past, he pondered: "Our top priority is to reassure the troops. The royal emperor uncle life and death is of no concern, we only need to send guards to watch over him strictly, he won’t be able to commit any evil in the future." He replied:" This is the only opportunity for you to redeem yourself. His majesty knows this incident is caused by your son, he can pardon your life. "

The royal emperor uncle originally did not have any intention to seize the throne, it was all because of his son, the Prince of Chu’s wild ambition that led to the current misfortune, since his already captured he can only hope that his life would be spared, he replied: "Ok, I will do as you say!"

Xiao Feng let him sit comfortably on the saddle, he said loudly: “All troops please listen, the royal emperor uncle has something to say."

The royal emperor uncle said loudly: "The Prince of Chu brought about this disaster, now his dead. The emperor is gracious, he will forgive everyone’s sin. All of you quickly drop your weapons and ask the emperor for forgiveness."

Since the royal emperor uncle said it, the rebels were left without a leader, although some troops are still fiercely stubborn, they do not dare disobey his orders, there were “Clanking” sound and all the rebels cast down their weapons.

Xiao Feng brought the royal emperor uncle up the mountain. YeLu HongJi was overjoyed, it was as if his dreaming, he quickly rush beside Xiao Feng, holding both his hands he said: "Brother, brother, elder brother’s country, I will share it with you together." He was in a very agitated state, tears flow freely.

The royal emperor uncle knelt on the ground and said: "The dissident ask your majesty for forgiveness and seek your majesty’s pity."

YeLu HongJi was in an extremely good mood, he said to Xiao Feng: "Brother, what is your opinion?" Xiao Feng replied: "The rebels have overwhelming numbers, the priority now is to stabilize the troop’s morale, I beseech your majesty to pardon your uncle so that everyone can set their mind at rest."

YeLu HongJi smiled and said: "Good, good, I will do as you say, I will do as you say." He turned towards the Lord of Northern Chancellery and said: “Pass down the imperial edict, Xiao Feng is conferred as the Prince of Chu, his official rank is the Lord of Southern Chancellery, he will lead the rebel army and return back to the capital."

Xiao Feng had a huge shock, he killed the Prince of Chu, captured the royal emperor uncle, all to save his brother’s life, he did not covet after prestige or official rank, YeLu HongJi conferred such a high rank on him and he was momentarily at a loss, he did not know what to say. The Lord of Northern Chancellery cupped his hand and said to Xiao Feng: "Congratulations, Congratulations! The noble title of Prince of Chu have never been conferred on non-royals, Lord Xiao quickly thank the emperor." Xiao Feng said to HongJi: "Brother, today’s matter is all due to your great fortune, the enemy soldiers lost their spirit and we were able to calm the rebels down, I only contributed a little, it’s not something praiseworthy. Moreover, I do not know how to be an official and I don’t want to be one, I beseech brother to withdraw your order." YeLu HongJi gave a laugh, stretch out his right hand to hug his shoulder and said: "The title of Prince of Chu and the official rank of Lord of Southern Chancellery, this is the highest position in my Liao Empire, if brother still think it’s insufficient and still refuse to submit to me, then I can only give up the throne and pass it to you."

Xiao Feng was shocked, he thought: "In his joyous state, brother can get carried away and not know what he is saying, everything is still a mess, we have to settle things quickly and not hesitate to prevent any disaster from happening." he knelt down and said: "Subordinate Xiao Feng receives your order, I thank your majesty for bestowing kindness on me.” YeLu HongJi smiled and propped him up with both hands. Xiao Feng said: "Subordinate don’t dare to defy your orders, I can only accept this title and rank. But I am an uneducated peasant, unfamiliar with court regulations, I beg your majesty forgiveness if I make any mistake.”

YeLu HongJi stretched his hands and slaps his shoulder several times, smiling: "It doesn’t matter at all!" he turns around and said to the general of the left army YeLu MoGe: "I am making you the Chancellor of Southern Chancellery, you will assist Lord Xiao and handle all Chancellerys’ affair." YeLu MoGe was overjoyed, he knelt down to thank the emperor and then paid homage to Xiao Feng: "Paying my respect to Lord Xiao!" HongJi said:" MoGe, you will receive Lord Xiao’s orders and lead the rebels back to the capital. We will go and pay our respect to the Empress Dowager."

Music played out on the mountain peak, YeLu HongJi and the group walk down the mountain path. The rebel lead general had promptly release the Empress Dowager and Empress and made arrangement for them to rest in camp. YeLu HongJi entered the tent and reunited with his mother and wife, they had a narrow escape, it was as if they have been given a second life, naturally everyone praised Xiao Feng for his deeds.

YeLu MoGe led Xiao Feng meet all his subordinate of Southern Chancellery. Moments earlier, Xiao Feng was alone against ten thousands of troops, such courage is unheard of and everyone witness it with their own eyes. The troops and officials of Southern Chancellery are former subordinates of the Prince of Chu, but firstly, after the awe-inspiring display of invincible might by Xiao Feng, everyone was secretly afraid and nobody dare disobey, they also respected his heroic spirit, secondly, the Prince of Chu usually had a bad temper and never showed kindness to anyone and nobody was loyal to him, thirdly, all of them took part in the rebellion and they felt terrified in their hearts, when Xiao Feng arrived, all the rebels were filled with deep respect and they listened to his orders.

Xiao Feng said: “The emperor has pardoned everyone’s crimes for staging this rebellion, from now on, everyone should make a clean break with the past, you should never have the slightest bit of disloyalty again.”

A white bearded general said: “Reporting to my Lord, the royal emperor uncle and his son detained my family members and coerce me to revolt, if I refuse, they will decapitate my family members immediately, I had no other choice, I beseech my Lord to clarify this matter with the emperor.”

Xiao Feng nodded and said: “Since this is the case, I shall not pursue past matters anymore.” He turned around and said to YeLu MoGe: “The troops will rest here, once they eaten their fill, pack up and return to the capital.”

Immediately, base on their rank, the subordinates of Southern Chancellery came one by one to pay their respects to the new Lord. Although Xiao Feng has never been an official, but he has long been the Beggar Clan’s leader, he has his own way of commanding and leading the crowd. In fact, there is not much difference in leading beggar clan members or Khitan warriors. The only differ is that Liao army have their own set of rules and norm, Xiao Feng was careful to remember it and he also have the assistance of YeLu MoGe, and thus everything went perfectly.

Not long after Xiao Feng led the army and set off, the Empress Dowager and Empress sent their messengers bearing gowns, belts, gold and silver to be gifted to the army. Xiao Feng expressed his gratitude, and the attendant protecting AhZi also arrive. She was wearing silk gown and riding a gallant horse, both gifted by the Empress Dowager. Xiao Feng saw her small body was wrapped in that large gown, half her face was obscured by the gown’s collar, and he cannot help but find it funny.

AhZi did not personally witness Xiao Feng kill the Prince of Chu with an arrow or capture the royal emperor uncle alive, she only heard it from the attendants. When recounting past events, people tend to spice up the story and make it more dramatic, and thus Xiao Feng’s achievements became even more miraculous by three notch. As AhZi saw him, she complained: "Brother-in-law, you achieved such great feats, why didn’t you tell me, otherwise I would have stood by the hillside and look at how you kill them all, won’t I be happier? You even made me worried for half a day.” Xiao Feng said: "I was lucky to claim such credits, how would I know in advance? You start saying childish words once we meet." AhZi said:" Brother-in-law, come over here."

Xiao Feng approach her, he saw her pale face glowing with excitement, complemented by the beautiful gown she is wearing, she looks like a baby doll, she looks boney yet cute, and he cannot help but laugh.

AhZi gave an angry look and complained: "I am telling you a serious matter, but you kept laughing, what is so funny?" Xiao Feng laughs and said: "Seeing you wear that over-size gown, you look like a baby doll, very interesting." AhZi fumed: "You always treat me like a child and now you make fun of me." Xiao Feng laughed and said:"No, no! AhZi, I thought both of us will die for sure, who knew we actually made it through, naturally I am very happy. Whatever Lord of Southern Chancellery, or the title of Prince of Chu, I don’t give a damn, it will be fine as long as we can survive and live."

AhZi said: “Brother-in-law, you are also afraid of dying?" Xiao Feng nod and said: "In the face of danger, naturally I am afraid of death, there are tens of thousands of troops, you dare to rush out alone? This is called confront a person with the danger of death and he will fight to live. If I don’t rush out, I will die for certain. It cannot be said that I am brave, but it the will to fight of a cornered beast. If you surround a bear or tiger and refuse to let it escape, then it will naturally fight for its life and claw or maul you.” AhZi smiled and said: "You compared yourself with wild beasts."

Both of them rode side by side on the horses, they look at their surroundings, flags were fluttering on the grass plain, long line of troops marching forward, all these stretch across the horizon and they can’t even see the end, bodyguards protected them in all four directions.

AhZi was very happy and said: "That day, you help me become the head disciple of the XingXiu Sect, from the hundreds of second and third generation members, apart from master, I can be considered to be the most senior, I was extremely pleased with myself. But it is really nothing compared to the thousands of troops you now command. Brother-in-law, the Beggar Clan does not want you as their leader, heng, who gives a damn about that small clan? Why don’t you lead you men and exterminate all of them."

Xiao Feng shook his head and said: "Childish words! I am a Khitan, the Beggar Clan is correct in refusing to let me continue to be their leader. Members of the Beggar Clan are all my former subordinates and friends, how can I exterminate them?”

AhZi replied: "They kick you out of the clan, and they mistreated you, naturally you should kill them all. Brother-in-law, do they treat you as their friend?”

Xiao Feng found it difficult to reply, he only shook his head, he thought of JuXian Manor where he broke off all ties with his old friends, his heroic spirit disappeared.

AhZi again questioned: "If they know that you have become the Lord of Southern Chancellery of Liao Empire, and they suddenly become remorseful and ask you to become their clan leader again, will you agree?" Xiao Feng gave a slight smile and said: "The heroes of Great Song treats all Khitans as wicked villains who commit all sorts of extreme atrocities, the higher my official position, the more they hate me." AhZi said: "Pei! What gives a damn? They hate you, we can also hate them.”

Xiao Feng look south into the distant, he saw the mountains overlapping at the horizon, he pondered: "I will reach Central Plains once I cross those mountains." Although he is a Khitan, but he grew up in Central Plains, in his heart he loved the Great Song more than Liao Empire, if the Beggar Clan let him become a member without any official duty, an empty-pouch disciple, he will feel more at ease then becoming the Lord of Southern Chancellery.

AhZI said: "Brother-in-law, the emperor is really smart, he made you the Lord of Southern Chancellery. In the future when Liao Empire fights war, you will lead the troops and be victorious in every battle. You only need to burst into the enemy ranks and kill the enemy marshal, the troops will then throw down their weapon and surrender, won’t the battle be won?"

Xiao Feng laughed: "The subordinates of the royal emperor uncle are soldier of Liao Empire, they have always followed the orders of the emperor, thus when the Price of Chu died, and the royal emperor uncle got captured, everyone surrendered. It will be different if two countries are at war. If you kill the marshal, there will still be a deputy marshal, kill the main general, and there will still be other generals, the battle will be fought till the last men. My single effort will be powerless in such situation."

AhZi nodded and said: "En, so that’s how it is. Brother-in-law, you said you are not considered brave when you rush into enemy rank, killed the Prince of Chu and captured the royal emperor uncle. Then in your entire life, what is the most courageous thing you ever did? Can you tell me?"

Xiao Feng never like to narrate his proudest and bravest achievements, when he was still in the Beggar Clan, he killed all kinds of traitors and evil people, no matter how fierce the fight, once he return back to the clan he will brush it aside and simply say: "The certain person has been killed." As for all the thrilling details and hash encounters, regardless of how others probe him, he will never say a single word more. As he listen to AhZi’s question, he thought of how he had fought over hundreds of battles in his life, how he did not back down in face of enemy and all the numerous brave deeds, he really cannot bear to say it out and thus he replied: "I was forced to battle with enemies, I really have no other choice, it cannot be said that I am brave.”

AhZi said: "But I know. The most courageous thing you did was the ferocious battle at Juxian manor."

Xiao Feng was dazed and asked: "How do you know?"

AhZi said: “That day at the Lakeside mirror, once you left, Father, mother, and the subordinate of my father, we all talk about you, all of us admired your martial arts to no end, later you went to the hero’s feast at Junxian Manor and single-handedly fought all the heroes, all just to seek treatment for a single lady. This lady is naturally my sister. They don’t know that AhZhu is the daughter of father and mother, they say you were ruthless and cruel in killing your foster parent and master, but you treated the lady with unexpected faithfulness; You were ungrateful, cruel and a pervert, an unreasonable bastard." As she said this she starting laughing.

Xiao Feng murmured: "Hei, ‘Ungrateful! Cruel and a pervert!' the heroes of Central Plain gave this kind of comments to Xiao Feng"

AhZi consoled him: "You don’t have to be upset. My mother praised you greatly, she says that as long as a man is faithful, his is a good man, it doesn’t matter what he do, she says my father is also ungrateful, cruel and a pervert, he lusted after many lovers, and his daughters are cruel and ruthless, it cannot be compared to you. You should stand aside and clap in approval." Xiao Feng smiled and shook his head.

The army travelled for a few days and they reach the capital. Common citizens and officials living in the capital have already been given advance notice, all of them came out to welcome him, Xiao Feng’s command flag was displayed everywhere, the people burned incense and bowed down to praise him endlessly. With his single action he calmed the disaster and saved countless lives of Liao Empire, over half the citizens in the capital had members from their family serving in the army, naturally they felt grateful towards him. Xiao Feng pressed his bridle and rode on, the citizens cried out: "We thank Lord Xiao for saving our lives! Heaven will protect the Lord of Southern Chancellery so that he may have a long and healthy life, and enjoy great riches and fortune!"

Xiao Feng listened to the voices paying tribute to him, the citizens were all on the verge of tears, their gratitude and appreciation is indeed sincere and heartfelt, he pondered: "A person who holds high ranking position, every move he make will affect the lives of thousands of people, when I shot the arrow and killed the Prince of Chu, I only did it at a fleeting moment of bravery, I saved my brother, I saved myself, but I didn’t know it also benefited countless citizens. Sigh, I tried to do good in the Central Plain, but I only received resentment and slander, I became the number one evil in the martial art world, such thing is really hard to explain.”

He thought again: "This is the country of my parent, when they were still alive, my father and mother must have walked on this road before. Sigh, I don’t know what my parent looks like, I can’t even imagine how they rode side by side on a horse."

The Liao Empire is the world’s largest nation, it far more powerful and prosperous than Great Song. But the Khitan lived a nomadic life, they keep on migrating, the houses and shops in the capital are crude and primitive, it really cannot be compared with those at Central Plains.

The caretaker of the Southern Chancellery welcomes Xiao Feng into his official residence, it was a grand mansion, the furnishings were unusually grand and splendid. Xiao Feng lived a life of poverty, how would he even get a chance to live in such mansion? As he walked one time around the mansion, he felt uncomfortable, he ordered his subordinates to erect two tents in the army barracks, he and AhZi each occupied one tent, their everyday life was simple, just like former times.

On the third day, YeLu HongJi, the Empress Dowager, Empress, concubines, princess and the captured family members of the army, all returned to the capital. The royal emperor uncle was too ashamed of his deeds and committed suicide along the way. HongJi also kept his promise, he did not pursue the crimes of the rebels, he only executed 20 chief culprits under the Prince of Chu who instigated the rebellion. A grand feast was held in the Palace for three days to reward the troops who remain loyal and fought at the stockade. Xiao Feng became the number one hero at the feast. YeLu HongJi, the Empress Dowager, Empress, concubines and princess all bestow gifts, in addition to the gifts by government officials and army officers, the gifts piled as high as a mountain.

Once the reward was complete, Xiao Feng return to the Southern Chancellery to supervise affairs. Dozens tribe chief in Liao Empire all came to pay their respects, the Crow tribe, Morality tribe, North tribe, South tribe, Shiwei tribe, Ancient Plum tribe, Five Nation tribe, WuLa tribe, etc. Followed by army officers under the command of the Empress, Great Tranquil Palace, Eternal Happiness Palace, Accumulation Palace, Prosperous Palace and various officers from other Palace. Liao Empire is made up of 59 countries, the TuYuHun, Turkey, Tangut, ShaTuo, Persia, DaShi, Urghur, Tibet, GaoChang, Korea, YuQu, Dunhuang, etc. All these countries have their envoys in the capital, once they learn that Xiao Feng carried the most weight, and have the highest authority over the armed forces, they all came bearing rare gifts to curry favours with him. Xiao Feng had to meet guests and subordinates every day, all he saw was endless treasures, and all he ever heard was fabricated flattery and praises.

He was kept occupied for over a month and YeLu HongJi summoned him into the main Palace and said: “Brother, your official post is the Lord of Southern Chancellery, you have to be based in Nanjing and wait for opportunity to conquer the Central Plains. As your brother I do not wish to part with you, but in order to establish an outstanding Empire that last for thousands of generation, it’s best if you lead your troops and head down south as soon as possible!"

Xiao Feng heard the emperor ordered him to lead an expedition to conquer south and he was startled, he said: "Your Majesty, this south expedition is an important matter, it’s an extremely serious affair. Xiao Feng is only one man, the troops are not ready for this task."

YeLu HongJi laughed: “Our Empire recently met a misfortune, we need time to recuperate our troops. The Great Song is currently governed by their Empress Dowager, they rely heavily on Sima Guang to manage state affairs, there is no weakness to take advantage of, we cannot conquer south at this moment. Brother, once you are at Nanjing, you have to constantly keep the matter of annexing the Song in your mind. We will only move in when there is internal dispute, if you notice any turn of events, lead all your troops and conquer south. If there is nothing wrong with their internal affairs and we forcefully invade, we will waste much effort and reap less benefit.”

Xiao Feng replied: "Yes, this should be the way." HongJi said: "But how do we know if the Song is being governed properly, or if the citizens are really willing to submit?" Xiao Feng said: "Your Majesty please enlighten me." HongJi laugh and said: "This have always been the norm, use gold and silver to bribe spies. The south people are greedy, there are many despicable and shameless people, order your Chancellor to spare no expense in giving treasure, bribe as many people as you can."

Xiao Feng accepted the orders and left the Palace, his heart was troubled. He have always been associated with heroes and brave men, the martial world is dark and dangerous, he have seen plenty of schemes that involves setting ambush and putting poison, these schemes are straight forward and direct in killing people but he have never tried to use gold and silver in bribing people. Besides, although he is a citizen of Liao Empire, but he grew up in southern Song, the emperor gave him the mission to conquer the Song, but he is extremely reluctant to carry it out, he pondered: "Brother made me the Lord of Southern Chancellery, it’s his way of showing how he valued our brotherhood. If I resign from my post now, I will fail to live up to his great kindness and damage our brotherly ties. I should go to Nanjing first and wait for a year or so, I will then ask for resignation. If by then he does not approve, I will simply slip away and escape, there nothing he can do to hold me back." Immediately he led his subordinates and brought along AhZi and they went to Nanjing.

The Nanjing of Liao Empire is also known as Beijing (China) in modern times. At that time it was known as Yanjing, also known as Youdou, the capital of You Province. After Shi JingTang declare himself emperor, he gained the full support of Liao Empire, Shi JingTang then ceded sixteen prefectures to Liao as repayment. The sixteen prefectures are You, Ji, Zhuo, Shun, Tan, Ying, Mo, Xin, Gui, Ru, Wu, Wei, Yun, Ying, HouZhou, the Song Dynasty fought three generations for it but they never manage to recover the land. The sixteen prefectures occupied strategic positions, the Liao Empire stationed large number of troops there, every time they attack southern Song, they can push in deep and the Song did not have any strategic points for defence. Song and Liao have fought for over 100 years, the Song only won once, it’s not because of soldiers or equipment, but due to the strategic position occupied by the Liao which allows them to gain huge advantage and control the battlefield.

Xiao Feng and his party arrived within the city, the street of Nanjing city was wide, markets and restaurants bustled with activities, its far superior to the capital, the passersby are all people from southern Song, and all he heard was chats in langue of Central Plains, it was as if he returned back to Central Plains. Both Xiao Feng and AhZi like it very much, the next day they dressed simply and blended with the crowd, they toured and explored the markets and streets.

The city Yanjing (Nanjing) spanned 36 li, there are a total of eight gates. To the east is Safe Eastern Gate and Winter Jasmine Gate; South is Rising Sun Gate and Red Phoenix Gate; West is Illustrious West Gate and Tranquil Gate; North is Connecting Heaven Gate and Encircle Vibration Gate. The reason why the north gates are known as Connecting Heaven, and Encircle Vibration, is to signify unshakable allegiance to Liao and to obey the decree of the emperor. The residence of the Lord of Southern Chancellery is southwest of the city. Xiao Feng and AhZi explored the city for half a day, but there were endless city squares, shrines, temples, government office, and they could not possibly finish exploring them all in such a short time.

Xiao Feng official post is the Lord of Southern Chancellery, the sixteen prefectures naturally came under his jurisdiction, even the DaTong prefecture in the west region and DaDing prefecture in the central region are all under his command. The prestige and power he holds is heavy, it’s not feasible for him to continue living in a small tent, and thus he was forced to live in his official residence. After supervising the work for a few days, he felt fatigued and light-head, he was feeling extremely bitter, he saw his Chancellor YeLu MoGe was intelligent and capable, skilled in managing government affairs, and thus he delegated all the work to YeLu MoGe.

Regardless, there are numerous perks that come with his high official post, there is unlimited supply of precious tonic and medicines in the Lord’s residence, AhZi can simply eat medicine for all three meals and her injuries recovered day by day, on early winter, she can finally walk by herself. She toured Yanjing city many times, assisted by an attendant, she also explored 10 li outside the city.

On this day the weather was clear, AhZi wore a mink coat and came to Xiao Feng’s residence and said: "Brother-in-law, I am bored staying in the city, accompany me to go hunting."

After staying for such a long time in the Chancellery Xiao Feng was also bored, after listening to her proposal he was excited, immediately he ordered his subordinates to prepare the horses for the hunting trip. He dislike hunting with a large-scale party, and thus he only took a few attendant to take care of AhZi, he feared the citizens might a make a big fuss when they see him and he changed into sheepskin robes worn by common soldiers, he carried a bow and a bag of arrows, he rode a horse, along with AhZi they exit the Tranquil Gate and gallop west.

The hunting party travelled 10 li away from the city, and they only hunted a few small rabbits. Xiao Feng said: "Let's try heading towards south." He turned his horse and rode towards south, again they travelled for over 20 li, suddenly they saw a river deer running across. AhZi took out her bow and arrow and pulled the bowstring, but it turns out that her arm did not contain any strength, she can’t draw the bow at all. Xiao Feng’s left hand reach out behind her and gripped the bow, his right hand grasp her hand and they pulled the bowstring, once they release the string, there was a “Sou” sound and an arrow flew out, the deer was hit and collapsed immediately. Everyone cheered.

Xiao Feng released his grip and smiled at AhZi, but he saw tears brimming in her eyes, curious he ask: "What happen? You don’t like me to help you shoot the wild animal? “Tears flow down AhZi’s cheek and she said: "I ... I became a disabled person, such a light bow...I can’t even draw it.” Xiao Feng consoled her: "Don’t be so impatient, your strength will return slowly. If in the future it still does not return, I teach you internal energy cultivation method, it will definitely increase your strength.” AhZi smiled through her tears and said: "You must keep your promise, you will definitely teach me internal energy cultivation.” Xiao Feng replied: "Yes, Yes, I will definitely teach you."

As he was speaking, suddenly the sound of horse’s hoof came from the south, a large troop came galloping on the snow covered ground. Xiao Feng gaze towards the direction where the sound came from, the troops were all Liao soldiers, yet they were striking their banners. The troops were clamouring and singing, apparently they are celebrating, many captives are tied to the back of their horses, it seems they just returned from a victorious battle. Xiao Feng pondered: "We are not waging war with anyone, what battle did they return from?" seeing the troops head east and returning to the city, he said to his subordinate: "You go ask that group of people, what are they doing here?"

His subordinate replied: “Affirmative!" he rode towards the troop and said: “Brothers have you returned from raiding the common people?”

He reached the troop and they exchange a few words. The troop heard that the Lord of Southern Chancellery is here, they cheered loudly, dismounted from their horses and guided it, they quickly walk towards Xiao Feng, bowed down and salute, they chorus in unison: “Long live your Highness!”

Xiao Feng raise his hand and returned the greeting, he said: "Dispense the formality!" he saw there were about 800 soldiers, their horses carried silk clothes and various artefacts, the horses were also pulling 700 to 800 captives, mostly young women, some juvenile man, all wearing Song attire, all of them weeping and wailing.

The captain of the troop said: "Today it’s our HeiLaDu troops turn to raid the common people, owing to your Highness good fortune, we had a good raid." He turn his back and said: "Everyone bring out the best looking young girl, the best treasures and offer it, we invite his Highness to pick and use.” The troops replied: “Affirmative!" they dragged 20 young ladies towards Xiao Feng and piled various ornaments on a felt sheet. The troops gaze at Xiao Feng, their eyes filled with respect and hope, it would be their greatest honour if the Lord of Southern Chancellery accepts the women and ornaments.

On the day Xiao Feng was at Yanmen Gate, he saw soldiers of Great Song capturing Khitan’s citizens, and now it’s the soldiers of Liao capturing citizens of Great Song, the captives expression were miserable, no different from prisoners. The Liao Empire does not supply rations to troops, nor do they pay salary to troops, all the needs of the troops have to be robbed from enemy, they send troops daily to Great Song, Western Xia, Jurchen, Korea, and various neighbouring countries to rob the citizens, the act is termed "Beating The Grass Valley", in fact, it’s no different from common robberies. To retaliate, troops from Great Song raid the citizens of Liao and they termed it “Beating The Standing Valley”. Thus citizens living near the borders suffered extra hardships, they live in fear daily, not knowing if they will get to see the next morning. Xiao Feng always felt the method was cruel and immoral, he did not intend to serve for long as an official, his only humouring YeLu HongJi for a while before resigning and living in seclusion, thus he did not interfered or make a strong stand in the country’s affairs, as he witnessed the miserable plight of the captives, he cannot help but feel sad and ask: "This raid....where did you carry out this raid?”

The captain said respectfully: "Reporting to your Highness, we raided outside the ZhuoZhou region, near the borders of Great Song. After the arrival of your Highness, subordinates dare not raid the regions near here for provisions.”

Xiao Feng thought: "Listening to his words, it seems they used to raid the Song citizens here." He advanced his horse and spoke in Chinese: "Where are you from?" a maiden knelt down and cried: "I am from the Zhang village, I beg your Highness for mercy, release me and let me reunite with my parents.” Xiao Feng raised his head and look at the rest of the people. Hundreds of captives all knelt down, only one juvenile man stood upright and refuse to kneel.

The youth was around 16 years old, his face elongated, with a tapered chin, his expression was wavering and uncertain, Xiao Feng ask: "Boy, where do you live?" The youth replied: "I have an important secret, I have to tell you face to face." Xiao Feng said: "Fine, come over and tell me.” The hand of the youth was bound by thick ropes, he said: "Please move away from your subordinates, this matter cannot be heard by others.” Xiao Feng curiosity was piqued and he pondered: "Such a young boy, what kind of important secret he holds? Yes, he came from the south, he may have information pertaining to the military movements in Great Song.” The boy was a citizen of Song, by revealing secrets to Khitan, he will be a shameless traitor, Xiao Feng scorn such people but since the boy said he holds important secrets, there’s no harm in listening, he rode forward 10 zhang and beckoned: “Come over here!”

The boy followed, raising his hands he said: "Please cut the ropes binding my hands, I wish to present an item I kept in my bosom." Xiao Feng unsheathe his sabre and chop straight ahead, the force in this chop was sufficient to split the boy in half, but the sabre’s positioning was extremely accurate, it only cut the ropes binding the boy’s hands. The youth had a huge shock, he retreated two steps, and gaze blankly at Xiao Feng. Xiao Feng smiled, sheathe his sabre, and ask: "What is the item?"

The youth stick his hands into his bosom, felt the item and said: "You will know once you see it." And he walked towards Xiao Feng. Xiao Feng stretch out his hand to receive it.

Suddenly, the youth threw the item fiercely at Xiao Feng’s face. Xiao Feng wave his whip and struck down the item, white powder came flying out, the item was just a small cloth bag. The bag fell on the floor and white powder spilled out of the bag, it was quicklime. This shameless item is used by despicable thieves in the martial world, if the powder landed on a person’s face, the quicklime will irritate the eyes and the person will eventually be blinded forever.

Xiao Feng groaned and pondered: "This boy is bold, it seems his not a traitor." He nod his head and said: "What is your name? Why do you seek to harm me? “the boy closed his lips firmly and did not answer. Xiao Feng said in an amiable manner: "Just tell me the truth, I will spare you life.” The youth said: "I failed in taking revenge for my parents, what is left to say." Xiao Feng said: "Who is your parents? Did I really kill them?”

The youth took two steps forward, his expression full of grief and anger, pointing to Xiao Feng he shouted loudly: "Qiao Feng! You killed my father, mother and my uncle, I... I can’t wait to eat your meat, skin you and remove your tendon, dismember you into pieces!"

Xiao Feng listen to the boy used his old name, "Qiao Feng”, and that he killed his parents and uncle, it must be former enemies from the Central Plains, he ask: “Who is your uncle? Who is your father?”

The boy replied: "Since I don’t want to live anymore, I will let you know, the men from You family of JuXian village are not afraid of death."

Xiao Feng made an “Oh!” sound and said: "So you are the nephew of the You brothers, your father is You Ju second master You, right?” he paused for a while and continued: "That day I was surrounded by numerous heroes in the manor, I was forced to fight, it is not something within my control. Your father and uncle died by committing suicide." as he said this he shook his head and continued: "Sigh, they lost their shield and this forced them to commit suicide. What is your name?"

The boy straightens his body, and said loudly: "I am called You TanZhi, I don’t need you to kill me, I will follow my uncle and father good example!" his right hand reached into his trouser and took out a short-knife, he plunge it at his chest. Xiao Feng waved his whip, wrapped it around the knife and seized it. You TanZhi was furious and shouted: "I am not even allowed to commit suicide? You damnable Liao dog, aren’t you too vicious!"

At this moment, AhZi had reached Xiao Feng’s side and she shouted: "You little punk, you dare to insult people? You want to die? Hehe, it won’t be so easy!” Upon seeing such a delicate beautiful lady, You TanZhi was stunned and rendered speechless. AhZi said: "The punk called Zhi, later you will know what it feels like to be blind." She turned and said to Xiao Feng: "Brother-in-law, this kid is so vicious, he tried to harm you with quicklime, we will use this quicklime to blind both his eyes before deciding how to deal with him."

Xiao Feng shook his head, he said to the captain of the troops: "The Song captives you captured during the raid, can you give them all to me?" The captain was overjoyed and said: "You Highness honoured me with your presence, I would like to thank your Highness for bestowing kindness." Xiao Feng said: "All those who hand over the captives, go back to my residence and claim your reward.” The troops said happily: "We sincerely dedicate it to your Highness, we do not require reward." Xiao Feng said: "Leave the captives here and return back to the city, remember to claim your rewards." The troops bowed and gave their thanks, the captain said: "There are many wild beasts out here, is your Highness using these Song pigs as live targets? The previous Prince of Chu likes to do this. Unfortunately, we mostly caught aunties and old ladies, they can’t run fast. Next time we will catch able-bodied Song pigs for your Highness.” he bowed and left with his troops.

“Using these Song pigs as live targets”, these words drilled into his ears, Xiao Feng cannot help but feel startled, he could visualize the cruel actions of the previous Prince of Chu: A few hundred Song people howling and running around like wild beasts, the Khitan nobles laughing, drawing their bows, shooting and killing the people one by one. Some Song people fled to the distant, the Khitan will chase with their horses, akin to shooting deer or fox, they will kill every single person. This kind of cruel stuff, the Khitan narrated it as if it was no big deal, it must be a common practice. He looks at the captives, their face yellowed and they shivered under the cold wind. Some of these captives understood Khitan’s language, they heard of “Shooting live human targets” before, they are scared out of their wits.

Xiao Feng gave a long sigh, looking south at the layers upon layers of clouds hovering at the mountains, he pondered: "If my parentage was not revealed, today, I will still treat myself as citizen of Great Song. We speak the same language, eat the same food, how am I different from them? Everyone is human, but why do we insist on differentiating Khitan people, Great Song, Jurchen, Korea? You come to my borders to raid, I go to your borders to murder and commit arson? You curse me as Liao dogs? I curse you as Song pigs?” his thoughts keep gushing forth like tidal waves.

Seeing the troops that captured the captives had all left without a trace, he said to the captives: "I’ll release you today, run quickly!” the captives thought Xiao Feng was making them run before shooting arrows and killing them, they hesitate and did not move. Xiao Feng said again: "After returning home, move far away from the borders so as not to get captured during the raid. I saved you this time, but I may not be able to save you the next time.”

Now the captives believed his words, the applauses was thunderous, they knelt down and kowtow: "The kindness of your Highness is as high as a mountain, we will go back home and pray for your everlasting health and fortune." They knew that once they got captured during the raid, unless they are wealthy people who can bribe with gold and silk, they will surely die without a trace. Song and Liao have been warring for successive years, the wealthy families had long escaped to mainland. All these captives are poor people, where would they find gold and silk to redeem their life? They knew their fate was far worse than oxen and horses, but this Lord from Liao Empire actually released them back home, they were really overjoyed at this unexpected news.

Xiao Feng saw their happy expression, they help and supported each other to travel back south, he pondered: "My Khitan people captured and drag them here, now I release them back, they have to suffer many hardships along the way, how did I show them any kindness?"

The captives gradually walked far away, but You TanZhi was still standing upright, Xiao Feng said: "Why aren’t you leaving? You are returning to Central Plains, do you have enough money?" he stretch his hand into his bosom, wanting to give him some gold or silver, but he did not carry any money, but as he felt around he retrieved a small oilcloth bag. Xiao Feng heart soured, contained in this oilcloth bag is a Sanskrit version of Tendon-Changing Sutra, it was stolen by AhZhu from Shaolin Temple, and she insisted that he kept it, now she is dead but the Sutra is still around, how it is not sad? He promptly kept the oilcloth bag back into his bosom and said: “I don’t have any valuables with me now, if you need money, you can follow me back to the city.”

You TanZhi said loudly: “The one surnamed Qiao, kill me if you want, cut this act, why disgrace me further with these schemes? Even if I die of poverty, how can I even take a single cent from you?”

Xiao Feng thought his words were correct, he did cause his father death, there’s a saying that one cannot live under the same sky as one’s enemy, this hatred cannot be eliminated, it’s pointless to argue further, he replied: “I won’t kill you! If you want revenge, you are welcome to try anytime.”

AhZi said: "Brother-in-law, you can’t release him! This kid won’t use proper skills when duelling you, he will only use contemptible dirty tricks. You need to destroy the source of trouble so as to avoid future disaster."

Xiao Feng shook his head: "Difficulties are everywhere in the martial world, every step is perilous, but I survive them all. This young man won’t be able to harm me. That day I angered his uncle and father into committing suicide, although it is unintentional, but I will always owe this blood debt, why harm the nephew of the You brothers? “as he said this, his enthusiasm dulled and he said: "Lets just go back, there’s nothing much to hunt today."

AhZi pout and thought: "I just had a great idea to torment this boy, it’s really interesting! But you insist on releasing him, once I return to the city, what is left to play?" but she dare not defy Xiao Feng’s words, she turn her horse and followed Xiao Feng back, after travelling for a few zhang, she turn her head back and said: “Boy, go back and practise you martial arts for 100 years before you seek revenge from my brother-in-law!” she gave a girlish smile, cracked her whip and gallop off quickly.

Chapter 28

Chapter 28 --- Vegetation Surviving, Skull Casted In Iron
You TanZhi saw Xiao Feng and his party travelled north, they did not turn back at all, only then was he certain that he won’t die, he pondered: "Why did that traitor not kill me? Hmmm, he look down on me, and thought that killing me will dirty his hands. He...he became some kind of Lord in Liao Empire, it would be even more difficult for me to take revenge from now on. But at least i found the whereabouts of this traitor.”

He lean down to pick up the quicklime bag, and went to look for the short-knife thrown aside by Xiao Feng’s horsewhip, suddenly he saw an oilcloth bag within the left vegetation, it was the exact same bag retrieved by Xiao Feng from his bosom, he picked it up immediately and open the bag, inside was a book, he flipped the pages of the book, every page had curvy writings, he did not understand a single word from the writings. When Xiao Feng saw this oilcloth bag he was thinking of someone else, he was absent minded, when he put this Tendon-Changing Sutra back into his bosom he didn’t secure it properly, when his horse jolted off, the book just dropped into the vegetation and he didn’t realize it at all.

You TanZhi thought to himself: "This is most probably Khitan text. The traitor carried this book with him personally, it must be something greatly valuable to him. I won’t return it to him, let him worry about it, which is a good thing.” He felt a faint sense of satisfaction of revenge, he put the book back into the oilcloth bag and kept it in his bosom and then travelled south.

At an early age he learnt martial arts from his father, but he had a thin and frail body, and weak muscular strength, he was totally incompatible for the strong and fierce martial arts style of the You brothers, after learning martial arts for three years, his progress was minimal, he can’t claim to be the son of a famous martial arts master with his level of skill. As he learn till he was 12 years old, You Ju was dishearten and he discussed with his brother You Ji. Both of them agreed: “Our You family produced this kind of three-legged-cat skill, won’t people laugh until they mouth become slanted? Moreover, if people know his the son and nephew of the Twin-You-Heroes of the JuXian manor, they won’t hold back and use their full strength, they will kill him with a single stroke. It would be better to let him study literature so as to preserve him life.” Thus from the age of 12, You TanZhi stopped learning martial arts and You Ju hired a tutor to teach him how to study.

But he did not concentrate while studying, he was always imagining and day dreaming. His teacher said: “Student Zhi, while learning, is it not a pleasure?” he replied: “It depends on what you are learning, Father taught me boxing, i was happy while learning.” The teacher fumed: “Confucius was referring to scholarly learning, life great undertaking, when did he referred to boxing and playing with spears?” You TanZhi replied: “Fine, you curse my father and uncle, you say my father is not a good man because he box and play with spears, i will go tell my father.” And he eventually drove the teacher away in anger. This went on and he continually drove all his teachers away in anger, You Ju gave his son several beatings, but he became even more obstinate and mischievous after each beating. You Ju saw his son was unworthy, stubborn and difficult to teach, he was at a loss, he could only give a long sigh and pay no notice. Thus, You TanZhi is 18 years old now, although he came from a famous family, he was neither proficient in literature nor martial arts. His uncle and father committed suicide, his mother bangs her head on a pillar to die with her husband, he was alone and helpless, and wandered around aimlessly, all he ever thought was to seek Xiao Feng for revenge.

That day at the battle at JuXian manor, he hid behind a screen wall and observed the battle, he saw clearly Qiao Feng’s appearance and shape, and heard that he was a Khitan, he was muddle-headed and just went searching north, along the way he saw a petty thief using quicklime to blind his enemy, he felt this was a good method, he copied him and made a quicklime package. He was loitering around the borders when the Khitans captured him during their raid, unexpectedly he met Xiao Feng, and he even manage to throw the quicklime package, it can be said his lucky to the extreme.

He pondered: "Right now the most important thing is to escape as far as possible, don’t let him capture me. I’ll catch a poisonous snake or big centipede, then i will put it on his bed, when his sleeping the bugs will bite him to death. That young lady ... that young lady, alas, she ... she is so beautiful!"

As he thought of AhZi’s appearance. His chest heated up for no reason, and his face felt like an oven, he pondered: "I don’t know when i will get to see her pale face, the delicate and elegant young lady."

He hung his head and took big steps, after a while he overtook the group of captives released by Xiao Feng. Some of them invited him to travel with the group but he ignored them and travelled alone. After walking for 10 li, his stomach groaned in hunger, he look around for something to eat, but there was nothing except withered grass and snow on the grass plains, he pondered: "If only i was a cow or sheep, i can eat the grass and drink the snow water, i will be so happy. En, but if i am a little lamb, other people will slaughter my mother and father, the 2 old lamb, and eat them, then should i take revenge? I cannot live under the same sky as my enemy, of course i have to take revenge. But how should i do it? Use my 2 horns to bang those people that killed my parents? But these people rear animals for the purpose of eating them, where is the logic in revenge?”

He was letting his imagination run wild, suddenly he heard the sound of horse’s hoof, three Khitan soldiers came riding on horses, once they saw him, there was a rustle sound and they slip a lasso over his neck, they pulled and the rope tighten. You TanZhi could not maintain his footing and fell down, the soldiers drag him away. You TanZhi gave a few blood-curdling scream, immediately the rope around his neck tightens further and he could not scream anymore.

The Khitan soldiers were afraid the rope might strangle him to death, and they immediately slow the horse steps. You TanZhi struggled and got up from the ground, he loosen the lasso around his neck. A Khitan soldier gave a strong tug, You TanZhi staggered and almost fell down again. The three Khitan soldiers laughed at him. The soldier holding onto the ropes said a few words to You TanZhi. You TanZhi did not understand Khitan, he shook his head. The solider wave his hand and the horse move off again, but this time it did not gallop off quickly. You TanZhi was afraid of being strangled by the ropes and lose his breath, he walk two steps and run three steps to follow the soldiers.

He saw the three Khitan soldiers heading north, he was afraid: "Qiao Feng only worded it nicely, he said he would release me, but in a blink of an eye he ordered his subordinates to capture me back, how will i survive?" After leaving home and heading north, all he ever thought of was revenge, he did not know the impossibility of the task, when he saw Xiao Feng, the tragic death of his parents muddled his head, with a burst of effort he thought of using quicklime to blind him, and then he will use the short-knife to stab him to death. But he failed on the first strike and lost his drive, he immediately thought of escaping but he got captured by Khitan soldiers again.

Originally when he was captured during the initial raid, he was mixed into the crowd, he only got hit once on his back by the back of a blade. But the situation now is vastly different, he staggered and collided with objects as he was dragged along, he was breathless, he fell down every ten steps, every time he falls, the lasso will leave another bloodstained line on the back of his neck. The Khitans did not stop for even a moment, they did not care about his safety and dragged him straight back into Nanjing city. When he entered the city, You TanZhi was drenched with blood, he prayed that he could simply die instead of suffering this misery.

The three Khitan soldiers travelled for a few li in the city, they dragged him before a huge house, You TanZhi saw the floor was covered with bluestone tiles, the pillars were thick and doors were high, he don’t know where he was. After waiting for less than the time required to brew tea, the soldier holding the rope rode his horse and entered a huge courtyard, suddenly he gave a whistle, the horse gallop off quickly. You TanZhi did not expect this, the soldier went around the courtyard three times, the horse gallop faster and faster, around ten soldiers were cheering and spectating at the sides. You TanZhi thought: “It seems they want to drag me around till i die!” his forehead, limbs and body collided with the bluestone floor, he was aching everywhere.

Among the laughter of the Khitan soldiers, there was a crisp laughter of a female mixed in. You TanZhi was drowsy, he faintly heard the female laugh and said: "Ha ha, i am afraid this human-kite won’t fly at all!" You TanZhi pondered: "What human-kite?"

At this moment, the rope tighten around the back of his neck, his body rise up in the air, he finally understood, the soldier was galloping fast with the horse in order to lift him up in the air, he was treated like a kite to be played around.

His body was high up in the air, the back of his neck had already lost all feelings from the pain. His nose and mouth was buffeted by the wind, he had difficulties breathing, but he heard the woman clapped and laughed: “Very good! Very good! The human-kite really flew!” You TanZhi looked towards the origin of the voice, the woman was wearing purple robe and was a beautiful young lady. Upon seeing her, his chest was excited, he don’t know if it was due to happiness or sadness, as he flew around in the air, he was incapable of thinking.

The beautiful young lady is AhZi. When she saw Xiao Feng released You TanZhi, she was unhappy, after riding for a distance, she deliberately lagged behind and instructed her attendant to quietly capture You TanZhi, and they cannot reveal this matter to Xiao Feng. The followers all knew that Lord Xiao was very doting towards her, thus they accepted her orders, they pretended to adjusts the belt buckle of the horse’s saddle, once Xiao Feng travelled far away, they turn back and pursued You TanZhi. When AhZi return to Nanjing, she waited at a temple far away from Xiao Feng’s residence. When You TanZhi was successfully captured, she consulted the Khitan for any fresh ideas on torturing people. Someone suggested “fly human-kite”. This idea appealed to AhZi, she ordered You TanZhi to be flown as kite and it unexpectedly worked.

Watching from below, AhZi found it interesting and she kept cheering, she said: "Let me fly it!” she mounted the horse of the soldier and took over the rope, she said: “Dismount!"

The soldier dismounted the horse and allowed AhZi to fly the “human-kite”, AhZi pulled the rope and went a few rounds on the horse, she laughed loudly and cheered repeatedly: “Interesting! Interesting!” but she had just recovered from a heavy injury, her hand was devoid of strength, once her wrist weakens, the rope sags and You TanZhi crash heavily on the bluestone floor with a “Peng” sound, his forehead collide with a sharp edge of a rock, immediately the wound cave in and blood gush out. AhZi was extremely disappointed, she fumed: “This stupid kid is so heavy!”

You TanZhi nearly fainted from the pain, as he listen to her complain about his weight, he wanted to explain but the pain was so bad that he can’t say a single word, a Khitan soldier walk over and undid the ropes around his neck, another Khitan soldier tore of his clothes and randomly bandaged his wounds, fresh blood ooze continuously from his wounds, how can it be stopped?

AhZi said: "His fine, his fine! Let’s keep on playing, send him up again, as high up in the air as possible.” You TanZhi did not understand the Khitan language coming from her, but he saw her making gestures, pointing at his head, he knew it was something bad.

Sure enough, a solider picked up the rope, he looped the rope around his armpit and then around his body, he didn’t loop around his neck to avoid strangling him, he gave a shout: “Rise!” and sped off on his horse, he dragged You TanZhi on the ground for a few rounds and eventually You TanZhi flew into the air again. The soldier gradually released the rope and You TanZhi flew higher and higher.

The Khitan soldier abruptly loosen his grip, with a whizzing sound You TanZhi flew like an arrow that has been fired off a bow, he flew high up in the air. AhZi and the rest of the soldiers were cheering and applauding. You TanZhi was unwilling but his body only flew higher and higher, he thought in his heart: "I will really die this time!"

The ascending thrust force gradually died off, he plunge straight down back to earth head-first, in a few more moment his head will smash against the bluestone floor, four Khitan soldiers simultaneously sent out their lasso, they wrap it round his waist and pull in all four direction. You TanZhi fainted immediately, but the force coming from all four directions suspended him in mid-air, his head was 3 feet off the ground. This manoeuvre is dangerous to the extreme, if one of the lassoes was sent out a bit slow, the force will not balance out, and You TanZhi’s brain will definitely burst. The Khitan soldiers practiced this trick on the Song people, the captives all became human-kite, 8-9 out of 10 will smash head-first on the ground, although the ground on the grass plain is soft, plummeting down from height, even if their head did not crack open, they neck will also break, and they will die on the spot.

As everyone was celebrating, the four Khitan soldier released You TanZhi from the ropes. AhZi took out her silvers and rewarded every soldier with 5 silvers. The soldiers gave their thanks. They ask: "Miss, you want to play something else?"

AhZi saw You TanZhi had already fainted, she don’t know if his dead or alive, she exerted excessive force when flying the “human-kite”, and now her chest hurts badly, she did not have any strength to carry on playing, she replied: "Enough fun for today. Bring this kid to see me tomorrow if he survives, i think of something to wear him down. This person wants to plot against Lord Xiao, we can’t let him die too easily." The soldiers agreed in unison, they carried off the blood-soaked You TanZhi.

When You TanZhi woke up, he smell a mouldy odour, he open his eyes but all he could see was darkness, he first thought was: “Am i dead?" immediately he felt pain all over his body, he was extremely thirsty. His voice was hoarse and he said: "Water! Water!" but who will even care about him?

After calling out a few times, he felt drowsy and he fell asleep, suddenly he saw his uncle and father fighting with Qiao Feng, blood was flowing everywhere, he saw his mother cradling him in her arms, comforting him gently, asking him to be not afraid. He saw AhZi, her beautiful face, her bright eyes emitting a strange light. Her face suddenly narrowed into a triangle and became the head of a snake, sticking out its blood-red long-tongue, exposing its fangs as it bites him. You TanZhi struggled, but he can’t move, the snake bite him on his hands, legs, neck, everywhere, the bite on his forehead was especially painful. He saw his flesh being bitten off, he wanted to scream but he couldn’t......

He toss and turn around the whole night, he was tortured when he was awake, and now he felt pain and suffering in his dreams.

The next day, two Khitan soldiers hauled him off to see AhZi, he had high fever and it did not subside, he took a step and immediately collapsed. The two Khitan soldiers supported his left and right shoulder, they reproach him loudly and dragged him into a large house. You TanZhi pondered: "Where are they dragging me? Am i going to be beheaded?" he was drowsy, he found it difficult to think properly, he pass by two set of doors and he stopped outside a hall. The two soldiers reported their arrival outside the hall, a female voice acknowledged from inside, they open the door to the hall and supported him in.

You TanZhi raise his head, there was a huge decorative carpet in the hall, sitting on a cushion at the end was a beautiful young girl, it was AhZi. Both her feet were resting on the carpet. When You TanZhi saw her snow white crystal-like feet, it was really like smooth jade, it was as soft as satin, his heart was thumping fiercely, his eye fixed firmly on her feet, the flesh on the back of her feet was transparent, several veins were faintly reflected, he really wants to stretch out his hand to touch it. The two Khitan soldiers released him. You TanZhi swayed left and right, and finally maintained his footing. His gaze did not leave AhZi’s feet, he saw her ten toes nails are pale red, it was like ten flower petals.

AhZi looked at him, all she saw was an ugly dirty youth, his face was twisted, jaws protruding, but his eyes glowed with greedy flames. She immediately thought of an injured and hungry wolf, when she was at XingXiu Sea, she and her two martial-brothers would go hunting, she shot a hungry wolf, but she failed to kill it. That wolf suffered serious injuries and stared at her venomously, the expression was exactly the same as You TanZhi’s gaze, the wolf wanted to pounce on her and bite her to death, although it can’t jump it still bared a dense row of fangs, howling with anger, but You TanZhi is simply too weak, he doesn’t resist at all, it really not interesting. Yesterday, he threw quicklime at Xiao Feng, and he refused to kneel, his manner and speech was stubborn, he refused money from Xiao Feng, AhZi liked it very much, she thought he must be a ferocious and powerful wild beast. She wants to torture him, she wants to cover him with injuries, and when his injured she want him to ferociously fight back and bite her, of course he cannot be allowed to succeed with his bite. But when she captured him and flew him as a “human-kite”, this wild beast did not fight back, he gave a dead look, that was not fun at all. She frown and pondered: “How should i torment him so that it will be fun?”

Suddenly, You TanZhi made two "He He" sound, a burst of strength came out of nowhere, like a leopard he pounced towards AhZi, grabbing her calf, he lowered his head and kiss the back of her feet. AhZi had a huge shock, she screamed. Two Khitan soldiers and four slave girls serving AhZi shouted in unison and they rush forward to pull him away.

But You TanZhi firmly held onto her calf and refused to let go. The Khitan soldier gave a tug and AhZi was pulled off the cushion seat and she fell onto the carpet mat. The two soldiers was shock and angry, they dare not pull again, one soldier hit his back, the other soldier hit his face. The injuries on You TanZhi swelled, his fever had not yet subside, he was in a confused state, it was as if his crazy, he did not notice anything in front of him. He firmly held onto AhZi’s feet.

AhZi felt his hot dry lips on her feet, she was frightened, but she also felt a strange itching sensation, she screamed: "Ah Yo! His biting my toes." She hurriedly said to the two soldiers: "Quickly back off, this man is crazy, Ah Yo, do not let him bite my toes.” You TanZhi was biting her toes gently, although AhZi felt pain, she was more afraid that he might forcefully bite down, in her flurried state, she knew he cannot be stopped with brute force, she feared that if the soldiers carry on their beatings he will really bite down randomly.

The two soldiers did not have any ideas to handle him and they could only release him. AhZi cried: "Stop biting, I'll spare your life, Ai Yo, i will release you." Currently You TanZhi is in a deranged state, how would he register what she said? A Khitan soldier grabbed his sabre and withdrew it from the scabbard, he did not want to hesitate anymore and was going to chop it at You TanZhi’s neck to cut off his head.

AhZi said: "Hey! You are not a wild beast, why are you biting people? Quickly release you mouth, i will ask someone to tend to your wounds and release you back to Central Plains.” You TanZhi still ignored her, he did not exert strength in his bite and didn’t injure her, his hands was gently fondling her feet, he was in a dream-like state, he became a human-kite again, flying high up into the clouds.

A Khitan soldier suddenly had a brainwave, he clutched You TanZhi’s throat. When You TanZhi’s throat was caught, his mouth open involuntary. AhZi quickly withdrew her leg and took out her toes from his mouth, she stood up, fearing that he might go crazy and start biting again, she hid her feet behind the cushions. Two Khitan soldiers caught hold of You TanZhi, they raise their fist and strike his chest repeatedly. After ten fists, he gave two “Wa Wa” sounds and spurt a few mouthful of fresh blood, the blood stained the brightly-coloured carpet.

AhZi said: "Stop, stop hitting!" After this thrilling experience, she felt this kid was pretty weird and interesting, she didn’t want to kill him immediately. The Khitan soldiers stayed their hands and stopped hitting. AhZi sat cross-legged on the cushion, her pair of feet under her buttocks, she pondered: "How should i torture him?"

AhZi look up and saw You TanZhi staring at her, she ask: "Why are you staring at me?” You TanZhi had already disregarded his life, he replied: "You are pretty, i like to look at you!" AhZi blushed and thought: "This kid is really bold, he dare to say such frivolous stuff.”

But in her entire life, no one has complimented her beauty. When she learnt her skills at XingXiu Sect, her martial-brothers all treated her as a mischievous little girl; when she followed Xiao Feng, he was worried about whether she might cause trouble or if she will die from injury, he didn’t care if she was ugly or pretty. You TanZhi spoke bluntly, it was obvious that his praise was honest and sincere, she was secretly overjoyed and pondered: “I will keep him by my side and use him to pass time, that will be pretty good. But brother-in-law said to release him, if he knows i captured him again he will definitely be angry. I can hide the truth today but i can’t hide it from him forever. What should i do so that brother-in-law will never know of this matter? I can stop other people from communicating with him but if brother-in-law suddenly comes over to visit me and sees him, what should i do?”

She thought for a moment, suddenly she had an idea: "AhZhu is good at disguise, when she’s disguised as father, brother-in-law did not even recognize her. I will give this boy a new appearance, than brother-in-law will surely no recognize him. But if his not willing, after i apply the make-up, he will simply wash it away and return back to his original appearance, won’t it be useless?"

She wrinkled her brows, at once she had another idea, she clapped her hand and smiled: "Great idea! Great idea! I will do it!” she spoke to the two Khitan soldiers. The soldiers had some queries and they consulted her again. AhZi gave more details in her explanation, she ordered a maid to retrieve 10 silvers and gave it to the soldiers. The soldiers accepted the silvers, gave a bow and hauled You TanZhi out of the hall.

You TanZhi shouted: "I want to look at her, I want to look at this heartless pretty girl." The Khitan soldiers and the maids did not understand Han language, they don’t understand what he is shouting about.

AhZi smiled and look at his figure, she thought her idea was very clever and she was very proud of herself.

You TanZhi was thrown back into the dungeon. At dusk, someone brought a bowl of mutton and a few piece of rice-cake. You TanZhi’s fever did not subside, he was sputtering nonsense loudly, the person was so scared that he put down the food and left immediately. You TanZhi did not realize he was hungry and thus he never touch the mutton or rice-cakes.

During the night, three Khitan suddenly came into his dungeon. You TanZhi was drowsy and mentally confuse, but he saw the expressions of these men were peculiar, it’s obvious they harboured bad intentions. He vaguely knew something bad was about to happen, he struggled to stand up, wanting to escape. Two Khitan came forward and held him down, they flip his body so that his face is facing the sky. You TanZhi swore at them: "Khitan dogs, go and die, i will cut you into a thousand pieces." Suddenly, the third Khitan was holding onto a white object, it’s like cotton, also like snow, he forceful press it against his face. The sensation was wet and cold, his brain cleared, but he was suffocating, he thought: "So you want to seal my seven orifice, you want to suffocate me to death!"

But as he thought of this immediately he knew he guess wrongly, someone gave a few poke to his mouth and nose, he could still breathe, but he could not open his eyes, his face felt wet and greasy, someone was pinching his face, some wet stuff was applied on his face, it could also be mud paste. You TanZhi was in a daze and he thought: "I wonder what kind of bizarre method these villains will employ to kill me?"

After a while, the mud layer on his face was gently peeled off by someone, You TanZhi open his eyes, he saw a face mould made out of wet flour, it was his face. The Khitan handled the mould carefully with both hands, he was afraid of damaging it. You TanZhi curse again: “Stinking Liao dog, you will die without a resting place.” The three Khitans ignored him, they took the face mould and left.

You TanZhi suddenly remembered: "Yes, they applied poison on my face, pretty soon, my face will rot, my skin and flesh will drop off, i will become a freak ... " he became more afraid the more he thought about it, he pondered: “Rather than being tortured to death, i should kill myself!" immediately he bang his head against the wall, “Peng Peng” he bang three times. The prison guard heard the sound and rush in, he tied up his hands and feet, You TanZhi was half-dead and could only allowed himself to be restrained.

After several days, he did not felt any pain on his face, it didn’t rot, but he was still determined to die, although his hungry, he did not eat any of the food delivered.

In the morning of the fourth day, the three Khitan men returned to his dungeon, they hauled him out. You TanZhi lonely and painful thoughts suddenly made way for sweet thoughts, he thought AhZi was summoning him for more torturing, although his body will suffer, but he could see her beautiful face, he cannot help but reveal a bitter smile.

The three Khitan took him across several alleys, they entered a dim stone house. He saw blazing charcoals at the side of the stone house, a muscular blacksmith was naked above the waist, he was standing next to a large anvil, holding onto a shiny black object, he was examining the object carefully. The three Khitan men hauled You TanZhi to the front of the blacksmith, two men held his hands, the other held his back. The blacksmith turned around, he studied his face and then look at the black object in his hands, he seems to be making some kind of comparison.

You TanZhi looked at the object in the blacksmith’s hand, it was a mask made out of wrought iron, there are 4 holes for the mouth, nose and eyes. He thought to himself: “Make this thing for what?” the blacksmith picked up the mask and covered You TanZhi’s face. Naturally You TanZhi avoided it by turning his head away, but someone was pressing his head, he could not avoid, the mask covered his face. He felt a freezing sensation on his face, his skin was stuck onto the metal surface, but he found it odd, the mask fitted him perfectly, it seems to be custom-made.

You TanZhi felt odd for only an instant, immediately he understood, he felt a chill down his spine: “AiYa, this mask is indeed custom-made. That day they applied wet-flour on my face, it’s the mould for this face mask. They go through so much trouble to create this iron mask, what is their intention? Could it be ..... could it be .....” in his heart he knew the vicious intention of these Khitans, but he did not know the purpose, he dare not think anymore, he struggled to run away.

The blacksmith removed the mask from his face, he nod his head, his expression satisfied. He took a large iron plier and gripped the mask with it, he place the mask in the furnace and heat it until it turns red, his right hand picked up a metal hammer, “Zheng Zheng Zheng” he starts striking, after striking the mask for a while, he stretch his hands and touch You TanZhi’s cheekbone and forehead, his correcting the mask to fix the non-identical portions.

You TanZhi shouted: "Damnable Liao dog, you commit evils that go against nature, you are so savage and wicked, God will bring calamity upon you, you will all die! You oxen and horses will drop dead, you babies will die premature!” he cursed and swear, but the Khitan didn’t understand a single word. Suddenly the blacksmith turned around. He glared at You TanZhi with a venomous look, he raised the bright red metal plier and poke it towards his eyes. You TanZhi was so scared that he gave a loud shrill.

The blacksmith was just scaring him for fun, he laughed and retracted the plier, he took out a metal curve piece and tested it on the back of You TanZhi’s head. Once adjustment was complete, the blacksmith baked the semi-circular iron cover and the mask in the furnance until it turns completely red, he spoke a few words loudly. The three Khitan lifted You TanZhi up, they place him horizontally on a table, his head facing upward. Two extra Khitan came forward to assist, they forcefully pulled his hair, his head can’t move at all, these five men press down on his limbs, how can You TanZhi even move an inch?

The blacksmith use the plier to grip the red-hot mask, he stop for a while, waiting for the temperature to cool, he gave a shout and covered it on You TanZhi’s face, white smoke rises, odour of burnt flesh dispersed in all directions, You TanZhi screamed and fainted. The five Khitan men flipped his body over, the blacksmith use the plier to grip the iron cover, he press it on the back of his head, the two semi-circular iron cover became an iron sphere, it covered his head. The iron cover is hot to the extreme, once it touches the skin, it will be burnt and be badly mutilated. The blacksmith is the finest ironworker in Yanjing, the two hemisphere combined together flawlessly.

It was as if he went through hell, he experienced being burnt and roasted by raging flames, You TanZhi did not recall the time, and he slowly regained consciousness, but he felt severe pain on his face and the back of his head, it was really hard to endure, and he fainted again. This went on and he fainted three times, and awoke three times, he shouted loudly but his voice is hoarse to the extreme, it didn’t sound like human voice anymore.

He lie down and did not move at all, he clenched his teeth and forcefully endured the pain and suffering on his face and head. This went on for two hours, he finally lifted his hands and touch his face, he felt something hard and cold, he correctly guessed it, the iron mask had already covered his head, he was enraged, he pull and jerk the mask, but it was welded firmly at the edges, how can he even remove it? In his desperation and hopelessness, he cried out loudly.

He is still young, although he experienced such sufferings, but he managed to endure it and thus it does not seemed right to just seek death, after a few days, his wounds healed and his pain diminished, he knows he is starving. He smell the fragrant aroma of mutton and rice-cakes, he couldn’t resist it and ate it. At this moment he had a clear understanding of the iron mask on his head, he knew the wrought iron mask had sealed his head perfectly, there’s no way he can release it, initially he was angry and acted violently but he finally calmed down, he pondered: “This dog traitor Qiao Feng, he covered my face with this iron mask, what is he intentions?”

He thought everything came from Xiao Feng’s command, thus he did not suspect that it was AhZi’s doing and the purpose of this mask is to hide his identity from Xiao Feng.

All these stuff are done by the captain of the room attendants, under AhZi’s suggestion.

AhZi questioned the captain daily on the condition of You TanZhi after he was fitted with the iron mask, initially she was worried that he might die, and all the effort would be wasted, when she heard that he will survive, she was extremely happy. On this day she learnt that Xiao Feng was going to southern outskirts to inspect the troops, immediately she ordered the attendant to summon You TanZhi to the Beginning Fortune Palace. To make Xiao Feng happy, YeLu HongJi conferred AhZi as Beginning Fortune Princess, and this Beginning Fortune Palace was bestowed as her residence.

When AhZi saw You TanZhi’s appearance, she cannot help but be overjoyed and it flared from the bottom of her heart, she thought: "My method is effective. With this mask on, even if brother-in-law is standing right next to him, he will definitely not recognize him. " You TanZhi walk forward a few steps, AhZi applauded and said: "Attendant, this mask is well done, take another 50 silvers and reward the blacksmith!" the attendant replied: "Yes! Thank you princess!"

You TanZhi peered out from the two eye-holes in the mask, he saw AhZi facial expression, there was boundless love and innocence, he listen to her sweet and melodious voice, he cannot help but stare at her blankly.

After wearing the mask, AhZi saw his appearance was strange, but she could still tell that he was staring fixedly at her, she ask: "Silly boy, why are you staring at me?" You TanZhi said: "I...i...i don’t know. You...you look pretty." AhZi smiled: "After wearing this mask, does it feel comfortable?" You TanZhi replied bitterly: "Do you think its comfortable?" AhZi giggled and said: "I really don’t know." She saw that the mouth-hole for the mask is a narrow seam, it’s just enough for him to drink and eat, if he wanted to eat meat, he have shred it to pieces before he can push it through the seam, but it’s impossible for him to bite her legs again, she laughed: “I put this mask on you so that you will never be able to bite me again.”

You TanZhi was overjoyed, he said: "Does Miss want me ... want me ... to frequently stay by your side and serve you?" AhZhi said: "Pei! You are a big bastard. If i keep you by my side, you will constantly think of stuff to harm me, how can i tolerate it?" You TanZhi replied: "I ...... i ...... i will never harm you. My enemy is Qiao Feng." AhZi said: "You want to harm my brother-in-law? Isn’t it equivalent to harming me? What is the difference?" as You TanZhi listened to her words, his heart soured, he was speechless.

AhZi smiled: "You want to harm my brother-in-law, it’s the same as climbing to heaven, impossible. Silly boy, do you want to die?" You TanZhi said: "Naturally i don’t want to die, but with this weird thing on my head, i don’t resemble a human or ghost, there is no difference from dying." AhZhi said: "If you would rather die, good, i will fulfill your wish, but i will not let you die immediately. I’ll first chop off your left hand." She turns and said to the attendant beside her: “Attendant, haul him out and chop off his left hand!” the attendant replied: “Affirmative!” and he stretch out his hands to grab You TanZhi’s arm.

You TanZhi was shock and cried: "No, no! Miss, i don’t want to die, please...please...please don’t chop my hands." AhZi gave a faint smile: "Once i say something, it’s difficult to to retract it, unless ... unless ... you kneel down and kowtow."

You TanZhi had a slight hesitation and the attendant already dragged him two steps back. You TanZhi did not dare delay any longer, he soften his knees, knelt down and kowtow, the iron mask knocked against the grey bricks and produced a “Dang” sound. AhZi smiles tenderly and said: "Your kowtow sounds so nice, i have never heard it before, you kowtow a few more times for me to hear."

You TanZhi is afterall a young master of a manor, although his poor in literature and martial arts, and the people at the manor all knows he is good for nothing, but You Ji died early and he only have one precious son, the young master have hundreds at his beck and call, he grew up being pampered, how can he endure this kind of humiliation? When he met Xiao Feng again for the first time, he was arrogant and rather die than surrender, but after receiving extreme bodily torture and mental trauma, his youthful heroic spirit had dissipated and vanished without a trace, as he listen to AhZi he immediately kowtow repeatedly, “Dang Dang” sound rang out, this goddess-like lady praised that his kowtow sounds nice, he felt a faint sense of fondness in his heart.

AhZi gave a charming smile: "Very good, from now on you will listen to me, if you have the slightest bit of defying my orders i will immediately chop off your arm, do you understand?" You TanZhi said: "Yes, yes!" AhZi said: "I made you wear this iron mask, do you know the reason? " You TanZhi said: "I don’t know." AhZi said: "You are so stupid, I saved your life and you still didn’t express your gratitude. Lord Xiao Feng wants to chop you into minced meat, you still don’t know?” You TanZhi replied: “He killed my father, naturally he cannot allow me to live.” AhZi said: “He pretend to release you and then ordered someone to capture you back to turn you into minced meat. I saw you are not too bad, it’s a pity to kill you and so i hid the truth from him and concealed you. But if Lord Xiao runs into you again, how will you survive? You will even drag me into this mess and implicate me.”

You TanZhi suddenly saw the light to the matter, he said: "Ah, Miss you casted this mask and made me wear it, it’s for my own good, you save my life. I ... I am exceedingly grateful, really ... I am really grateful."

AhZi was fooling him, she managed to deceive him and gained his heartfelt appreciation, she was extremely proud and said: “Now you know the reason, next time when you see Lord Xiao, you must not make any sound or else he will recognize you voice. If he recognize you voice, heng, heng! He will give a pull and tear you left arm off, he will give another jerk and tear your right arm off. Attendant, go fetch some Khitan attire and wash his body, his entire body reeks of blood, it smells so bad.” The attendant obeyed and led You TanZhi out.

After a while, the attendant returned with You TanZhi and had dressed him in Khitan attire. To make AhZi happy, the attendant deliberately dressed him in multicolored clothes, he looked neither male nor female, like a clown.

AhZi is very happy, suddenly she remembered an issue and said: "Attendant! DaShi country gifted a lion to us, correct? Ask the tamer to bring the lion over and summon 10 guards here.” The attendant obeyed and went out to relay the orders.

10 spear-wielding guards entered the Palace, they bowed and paid their respects to AhZhi, they turned around, 16 spear-head faced outward, protecting AhZi. Not long after they heard a lion roar, 8 strong-men carried a large metal cage and entered. A male lion is pacing around in the cage, yellow fur and long mane, shape claws and fangs, its expression powerful. The lion’s tamer held a leather whip and led the men.

AhZi saw this lion is ferocious and terrifying, she is extremely happy and said: “Iron Clown, you said you will obey anything i say, but i don’t know if its true or false. I want to test you and see if you really obey anything i say.” You TanZhi replied: “Yes!” he saw this lion and secretly had some misgivings, he did not understand the purpose, but listening to AhZi’s words, his heart start beating rapidly. AhZi said: “I don’t know if the iron mask on your head is hard and sturdy enough, you go stick your head in the cage, let the lion give it a few bite and check if it can break the iron mask.”

You TanZhi had a huge shock, he said: “This...this can’t be tested. If the mask really breaks, then my head ...” AhZi said: “What use are you? You are afraid of such small matters, a real man should not be afraid of dying. Furthermore, i think the mask will probably not break.” You TanZhi replied: “Miss, you can’t play around with such matters, even if the mask doesn’t break, this beast will flatten the mask and my head ... “AhZi chuckled: “At most your head gets flatten. You are such a troublesome kid, you original appearance isn’t good, if you head gets flatten it will be inside the mask, the rest of us can’t see it at all, who cares whether your good looking or not.” You TanZhi quickly replied: “I am not talking about whether i am good looking but ......” AhZi’s expression became grave and said: “You don’t obey my words, fine, i am done with my assessment of you, you deliberately lie to me, i’ll throw you into the cage and feed the lion!” she instructed the attendant using Khitan’s language. The attendant replied: “Affirmative!” and start dragging You TanZhi’s arm.

You TanZhi pondered: “If i get thrown into the cage, how can i even survive, it’s better to just obey her words, stick my head into the cage and try my luck!” he shouted: “Don’t drag me in, don’t drag me in! Miss, i will obey you!”

AhZi smiled and said: "That's a good boy! Let me tell you, whatever i tell you next time, just do it immediately, stop giving excuses and make me angry. Attendant, give him 30 lashes.” The attendant replied: “Affirmative!” and took the leather whip from the lion-tamer, with a “Shua” sound, he lash it on You TanZhi’s back. You TanZhi cried out in pain.

AhZi said: "Iron Clown let me tell you, when i ask someone to hit you, i actually think highly of you. You making so much noise, you dislike me hitting you is that it?" You TanZhi replied: "I like it very much, i thank Miss for bestowing kindness on me!” AhZhi said: "Good, carry on hitting!" The attendant consecutively lash out 10 times, You TanZhi grit his teeth and endured, he didn’t make a single sound, luckily he was wearing an iron mask and the whip avoided his head, he can endure lashings on his chest and back.

AhZi saw him endure silently, she felt it was boring and said: "Iron Clown, you say you like me to call someone to beat you, correct?" You TanZhi replied: "Yes!" AhZi said: "Is your word true or false? Are you fabricating lies to deceive me? " You TanZhi said:" It’s true, i don’t dare to lie to Miss." AhZi said: "Since you like it so much, why don’t you laugh? Why don’t you shout out and say that it feels good?" You TanZhi was scared out of his wits under her torture, he even forgot to be angry, and replied: “Miss treats me very well, you ask someone to hit me, it feels good.” AhZi said: “Excellent, let’s try it again!”

With a “Pai” sound, the whip lash out again, You TanZhi quickly said: "Miss, thank you for saving my life, this whip feels good!" he was lashed for over 20 times in an instant, combined with the previous whipping, its already more than 30 lashes. AhZi wave her hand and said: "Forget it, it’s enough for today. Stick your head in the cage."

You TanZhi bones ached he feel as if he want about to split apart, he limped beside the cage, grit his teeth and stuck his head between the iron bars. The lion saw him suddenly stick his head to provoke, it was startled and retreated two steps, it growled to show its authority.

AhZi cried out: “Call the lion to bite, why is it not biting?" the lion tamer rebuke the beast a few times, the lion heard the orders, it pounced forward, opened its mouth and bite You TanZhi’s head. There was a “Zi Zi” sound, the lion’s fang was grinding the iron mask. You TanZhi closed his eyes, he felt hot air entering the holes in the mask, he knew his head was in the lion’s mouth, he felt severe pain from his forehead and back of his head. When the iron mask was first put on him, the red-hot metal burnt and roasted his head and face, after a few day scars begin to form and his wounds healed, but with this bite, all his injuries ruptured and the wounds open up again.

The lion exerted its strength and bite a few times, but it can’t bite down, its fangs ached, it extended its right paw and clawed You TanZhi’s shoulder. You TanZhi felt severe pain from his shoulder and cried out with an “Ah” sound. The lion detected a loud noise within its mouth, it was shock, it opened its mouth to release the head and retreated to a corner in the cage.

The lion tamer rebuked loudly, he urged the lion to bite You TanZhi again. You TanZhi was furious he stretch out his hand to grab the back of the tamer’s neck, he pushed and inserted the tamer’s head into the cage. The lion tamer cried out loudly.

AhZi applauded and laughed: "Very good, very good! No one is to interfere, let both of them fight it out among themselves." The Khitan soldiers originally wanted to move You TanZhi’s hand away, but after hearing AhZi’s order, they stopped and did not move.

The lion tamer struggled with all his might. You TanZhi unruliness flare up, he simply refused to let go. The tamer can only seek help from the lion, he shouted: "Bite, forcefully bite him!” the lion heard his urging, it roared and rush forward, the beast know its suppose to bite forcefully, but it don’t know what to bite, two dense row of fangs clamped down, with a “Kela” sound, the lion bite off half of the tamer’s head, splattering brain pulp and fresh blood on the floor.

AhZi smiled and said: "Iron Clown wins!" she ordered the soldiers to carry out the corpse and cage, she said to You TanZhi: “That’s the way, you made me happy, how should i reward you?" she place her finger at her cheek and pondered. You TanZhi replied: "Miss, I do not want your reward, i just want you to promise me something.” AhZhi said: “What thing?” You TanZhi said: “I beg you to allow me to stay by your side and be your servant.” AhZi said: “Be my servant? Why? En, i know it, you are waiting for opportunity, when Lord Xiao sees me, you will strike and harm him to avenge your parents.” You TanZhi said: “No! No! It’s definitely not like that.” AhZi said: “You don’t want your revenge?” You TanZhi said: “I want. But firstly, i can’t beat him. Secondly, i don’t want to implicate you.”

AhZi said: "Then why do you want to be my servant?" You TanZhi said: "Miss is a goddess that descended from heaven, the number one beauty in the entire world, I ...... I wish to see you ever day.”

His words are really frivolous, based on his current situation, he is way too bold. But when AhZi listen to it, she felt good. She is still a child although her appearance is elegant, her body features has not fully develop, after long period of injuries, she became thin and haggard, as for “Number one beauty in the entire world”, it’s far from the actual truth, when she heard someone compliment her appearance, she cannot help but feel happy.

As she was about to approve You TanZhi’s request, the palace guard suddenly reported: “Lord Xiao arrives!” AhZi gave a glance at You TanZhi and said softly: “Lord Xiao is coming, are you afraid?” You TanZhi was extremely frightened, but he wanted to pretend and said: “Not afraid!”

The Palace’s door was wide open, Xiao Feng entered, dressed in fur coat. As he stepped through the door, he saw a pool of blood on the floor, he also saw You TanZhi wearing an iron mask looking very peculiar, he laughed and said to AhZi: "You look very healthy today, what new tricks are you playing? Why is this guy wearing that bizarre thing on his head?” AhZi smiled and said: “This iron-head guy is a tribute from GaoChang country to the west, his name is Iron Clown, even a lion can’t break his iron head, you can see the imprints of the fang.” Xiao Feng inspected the iron mask, there is indeed fang markings. AhZi continued: “Brother-in-law, can you remove his iron mask?”

You TanZhi was scared out of his wits. He personally witnessed Xiao Feng extraordinary bravery when combating the heroes of Central Plains, with both his fists, he shocked the steel shields off the hands of his father and uncle, if he really wants to remove the iron mask, it can be done without effort. When the iron mask was put on his head, he felt despondent and lost all his desires, but at this moment, he prayed that the iron mask will remain forever on his head so that Xiao Feng cannot see his real appearance.

Xiao Feng stretch out his finger and gently tapped the iron mask a few times, it issued a clanking sound, he smiled and said: "This iron mask is extremely solid, it’s crafted meticulously, it will be a shame to ruin it!"

AhZi said: "The envoy from GaoChang said this iron-head man was born green-faced and long toothed, he look 30% like human, 70% like ghost, those who sees him will run away in fear, thus his parents constructed an iron mask for him to wear to avoid scaring others. Brother-in-law, i want to see his real appearance, see how scary he really is.”

You TanZhi was so scared that his body trembled, his teeth chattered with a “GeGe” sound.

Xiao Feng saw his abnormal fear and said: "This man is terribly scared, why remove his iron mask? This man is accustomed to wearing the iron mask since childhood, if you forcibly remove his mask he will have difficulty living in the future.”

AhZi clapped her hands and said: "Now that is fun. In the past, when i see a turtle, i will catch it and remove its shell, i will then observe if it can live without its shell."

Xiao Feng cannot help but frown, he felt that it was cruel to remove the turtle shell, he said: "AhZi, why do you always do this kind of evil stuff that leaves people half-dead and half-alive?”

AhZi groan and said: "Of course you don’t like it! I am not as good as AhZhu, if i am like AhZhu, you won’t ignore me for so many days." Xiao Feng said: "Ever since i became the Lord of Southern Chancellery, i am so busy that i can't even take a breather. But aren’t i here every day to accompany you for a while?” AhZi said: “Accompany me for a while, heng, accompany me for a while! I just don’t like you to use ‘accompany me for a while’ to excuse yourself. If i am AhZhu, you will surely accompany me every day, you will never leave me, it won’t be ‘a while’ or ‘half a while’!”

Xiao Feng knew she spoke the truth, he had no reply, he only laugh and said: “Brother-in-law is an adult, i am not interested in playing with a child, you should go find some young female companion to chat with you and relieve your boredom.” AhZi fumed: “Child, child ...... I am not a child! If you are not interested in playing, then why do you come here?” Xiao Feng said: “I came to check if your feeling better? Have you eaten the bear’s gall today?”

AhZi took a cushion off a seat and slam it on the floor, she kicked it away and said: “If i am not happy, even if i eat 100 bear’s gall, i still won’t recover.”

Xiao Feng saw her child tantrums, if she was AhZhu, he will try to coax her and make her happy, but towards this unruly vicious girl he cannot help but loathe her, he said: "You go rest for a while." He stood up and walks away.

AhZi stared at his back, as she was about to cry she saw You TanZhi, she vented her anger on him and shouted: "Attendant, give him another 30 lashes!" the attendant replied: "Affirmative!" and picked up the whip.

You TanZhi said loudly: "Miss, what mistake did i make?" AhZi did not reply him, she wave her hand and said: "Lash him!" with a “Shua” sound the attendant lash down with his whip. You TanZhi said: "Miss, what mistake did i make, you have to tell me least i commit it again." The attendant lashed him again and again.

AhZi said: "Since i want to beat you, you should not ask what mistake you make, did i mistakenly beat you? You ask what mistake you make, i am beating you precisely because you ask this question."

You TanZhi said: "You beat me first, then i ask you the question. I did not ask you the question when you sent someone to beat me." “Shua” he was lashed again, “Shua Shua Shua” he received another three lashes.

AhZhi smiled and said: "I predicted that you will ask the question, so i ask someone to hit you in advance. And you really did ask the question, so isn’t my prediction correct? This proves that you are not loyal enough. I want to ask someone to beat you, if you are loyal, you will automatically volunteer to be beaten. But you keep giving excuses and questioned me, ok, since you don’t like to be beaten, i will stop beating you.”

When You TanZhi heard the word “i will stop beating you” his heart grew cold, the hairs on his body all stood up, he knew that if AhZhi stop beating him, she will definitely come up a punishment that is 10 times more atrocious than whipping, it’s better to just endure the 30 lashes, he quickly said: "Yes, its subordinate’s fault! Miss is showing great kindness by beating me, its beneficial to subordinate’s body, i beseech Miss to whip me more, the more the better.”